Dec. 22, 2023
By Drew Bancroft
Staff Writer
During your lifetime, it is likely one or both of your parents took a photo of you. It could have been while you were participating in activities, or maybe they simply wanted to capture a precious moment. Whatever the circumstances, parents should feel free to post their children’s photos on social media.
According to a 2021 survey by Security.org, 77% of parents in the United States said they shared images, stories or videos of their children online. Similarly, in a survey of 74 LHS students, 70% responded that at least one parent or primary caregiver posts photos of them online. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as sharenting.
By posting their children’s photos on social media, parents get the chance to express their pride. Furthermore, it helps strengthen the bond between children and their parents by allowing the children to notice the appreciation their parents have for them. In turn, children feel encouraged to continue their good work.
Posting photos on social media also allows parents to promote the positive activities their children are involved in. For example, using social media, parents can draw attention to a certain sporting event or extracurricular activity.
Another benefit of sharenting is that it keeps extended family or friends informed. In a survey by the Pew Research Center, 76% of parents who have participated in sharenting said being able to share information and images with family and friends is a major reason for their posts. In comparison to mailing through the postal service, posting on social media is easier, faster and free.
Furthermore, sharenting is a great way to preserve memories in a digital format. Once posted, photos can be accessed anywhere at any time, providing parents and relatives easy viewing of those special moments. It also creates a digital timeline of the children’s lives. This way, parents and their children can reminisce years later.
By posting their children’s photos on social media, parents get the chance to express their pride.
Those who say parents should not post their children’s photos on social media argue that it would give strangers access to these images. However, if the necessary precautions are taken, such as blocking certain individuals or enabling privacy settings, the posts can have limited visibility. Settings such as these are available on a majority of social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.
If parents are in doubt and their children are old enough, they should consult with their children and gain consent before posting certain information. That way, both parties will feel satisfied.
In The Lighthouse’s survey, 73% of respondents said they like or do not mind it when their parent or primary caregiver posts photos of them on social media.
Whether you prefer or despise your parents’ decision to post those photos, you cannot deny that it certainly brings them joy to get the chance to express your achievements. And if it makes your parents happy, it should make you happy as well.
