What is Sharenting?
Sharenting blends “sharing” and “parenting”—the practice of parents posting frequent photos, videos, and personal updates about their children online. By age two, over 80% of kids already have a digital footprint, with some appearing in 1,000+ photos on the internet before they’re even old enough to speak their own name.
We still don’t know the full extent of the long term effect of sharenting
However, we are not expecting them to be pretty or in your child’s favour
The Unknown Long-Term Effects
We simply don’t yet know the full long-term impact of sharenting.
A 2023 Frontiers in Psychology study flagged risks including identity fraud, digital kidnapping, and psychological harm from consent being taken away early.
The Journal of Pediatrics also warned that a child’s digital footprint—born without their input—can damage self‑esteem, safety, and future opportunities .
By age 13, the average teen may have over 1,300 photos of themselves online, mainly uploaded by parents.
Consent & Relationship Costs
Toddlers cannot consent. Many parents post without ever getting permission—29% share content without asking, and 32% do so even after being asked not to.
As kids grow, this may fracture trust. A 2019 Microsoft survey of over 12,000 teens found 42% felt troubled by their parents’ sharenting; 11% called it “a big problem”
Psychologists and media commentators warn that children may feel used for likes, validation, or income—sowing resentment and alienation
From Reddit, one user relayed a powerful story:
“An 18‑year‑old woman from Austria sued her parents for posting over 500 images of her without consent…highlighting how the digital footprints parents create can lead to feelings of betrayal…”
Digital Footprint & Vulnerabilities
The trail sharenting leaves is permanent. This unchosen identity may be exploited by:
Identity thieves: Barclays and AVG estimate that by 2030, sharenting could contribute to hundreds of millions in child-targeted identity fraud.
Deepfakes & exploitation: Innocent photos can be manipulated into disturbing content, fueling bullying or exploitation .
Admissions & hiring decisions: 74% of hiring managers screen online profiles—and what parents post might hurt a child’s chance at college or work .
Legal & Regulatory Developments
Italy has court rulings where, upon reaching adulthood, children sued parents for posting images without consent. The Italian Privacy Code and Civil Code uphold rights to image protection from ages 14+
Europe (GDPR) grants minors aged 16+ control over their data, and in some cases courts have ruled against sharenting by grandparents.
In the U.S., although COPPA and CCPA protect data, they don’t stop parents from posting. However, Illinois now mandates that influencers under 16 get 15–30% of earnings as trust funds—children can sue if this isn’t done.
The infamous DaddyOFive case involved penal charges for child neglect in family vlogging—a crossover between child welfare and sharenting.
Can Children Sue Their Parents?
Legally, yes—but it's rare so far. Notable cases:
Austria: An 18-year-old sued her parents over hundreds of childhood photos
Italy & some EU nations: Courts have supported the removal of images and privacy breaches under minors’ rights .
Norway: A mother was convicted for violating her daughter’s privacy by sharing sensitive video content
Some legal experts caution that pursuing such cases may strain family bonds, even when the child's legal rights are upheld .
What Should Parents Do?
Pause before posting—consider if the photo could embarrass or hurt your child later
Ask age-appropriately—build a consent habit.
Protect privacy—obscure faces, avoid full names and locations
Limit public sharing—use private channels like WhatsApp.
Keep earnings honest—compensate children fairly (e.g., Illinois law) and store funds in trust.
Final Thoughts
While there’s joy in sharing moments, the long-term consequences of sharenting are still emerging. Legal frameworks are evolving—but many children feel their trust was violated, their identity co-opted, even their childhood monetized. As children grow aware of consent, the emotional repercussions may only deepen.
The conversation on sharenting isn’t about banning love or memory-keeping—it’s about preserving children’s autonomy, dignity, and future selfhood.
