{"id":20295,"date":"2025-03-13T12:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T11:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joomeo.com\/sharenting-why-posting-photos-of-your-children-on-social-media-is-not-recommended\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T14:15:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T12:15:14","slug":"sharenting-why-posting-photos-of-your-children-on-social-media-is-not-recommended","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joomeo.com\/en\/news\/sharenting-why-posting-photos-of-your-children-on-social-media-is-not-recommended\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharenting: why posting photos of your children on social media is not recommended"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Today, social media is part of our daily lives. Many parents share life moments with their children online. Yet, this habit is not without danger.<\/p>\n\n

The practice of sharenting<\/strong> \u2013 posting photos and information about your children online \u2013 brings several concerns. Security, privacy, and psychological consequences: the risks are real. Let\u2019s explore why you should avoid posting photos of your children on social media.<\/p>\n\n

What is sharenting?<\/h3>\n\n

Sharenting<\/strong> is a portmanteau of \u201cshare\u201d and \u201cparenting.\u201d It refers to the trend of parents sharing photos, videos, and information about their children on social media.<\/p>\n\n

This practice is very common. According to a study by the University of Michigan, more than 50% of parents regularly post photos of their children online.<\/strong> However, few are aware of the long-term consequences: 27% have shared photos considered inappropriate.<\/p>\n\n

A breach of the child\u2019s privacy<\/h3>\n\n

Every post contributes to creating a digital footprint.<\/strong> Yet, a child cannot give informed consent.<\/p>\n\n

According to a report by the Children\u2019s Commissioner for England,<\/strong> a child will have an average of 1,300 photos<\/strong> of themselves published online before the age of 13. This early exposure can cause issues later in life, particularly in professional or social contexts.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> Before posting a photo, ask yourself whether your child would be comfortable with it as an adult.<\/p>\n\n

Risks of identity theft<\/h3>\n\n

Personal information often accompanies children\u2019s photos (sometimes unintentionally). A first name, a location, or a school uniform can be enough for a malicious person to collect data.<\/p>\n\n

A study by Cybersecurity Ventures<\/strong> predicts that by 2030, two-thirds of identity theft cases<\/strong> will involve minors whose data was exposed by their own parents.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> Avoid posting identifiable information about your child.<\/p>\n

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Images misused for malicious purposes<\/h3>\n\n

Even innocent photos can be exploited. In 2022, an Interpol investigation<\/a> revealed that 50% of images found on child exploitation sites originated from photos posted by parents themselves.<\/p>\n\n

Even with a private account, it\u2019s easy for someone to capture and share an image elsewhere. A simple screenshot is enough.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> Think carefully before posting a photo and limit visibility to a trusted circle. Joomeo makes this easy! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n

Psychological consequences for children<\/h3>\n\n

As they grow, some children discover photos of themselves online with embarrassment. They may face teasing at school or feel betrayed by their parents.<\/p>\n\n

A study by Microsoft Research<\/strong> found that 42% of teenagers<\/strong> feel embarrassed or angry when they see images of themselves posted without consent.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> Always ask your child\u2019s opinion before posting a photo, especially if they are old enough to understand.<\/p>\n\n

Legislation is evolving<\/h3>\n\n

In France, image rights protect minors. A child can take legal action against their parents<\/strong> for violations of their privacy.<\/p>\n\n

In 2023, a bill was introduced in the National Assembly to protect children against sharenting<\/strong>. Some countries, such as Germany, already enforce strict rules to safeguard minors.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Our tip:<\/strong> Respect your child\u2019s rights and think carefully before posting a photo.<\/p>\n\n

How to protect your children online<\/h3>\n\n

To avoid the risks of sharenting,<\/strong> follow these best practices:<\/p>\n\n