Sharenting: How to Share Smarter About Your Kids Online

From the first scan to the first day of school, modern parenting often comes with a side of posting. It’s called sharenting—the habit of sharing photos, milestones, and updates about our kids on social media. While it’s a lovely way to celebrate memories and keep family in the loop, it can also raise questions about privacy, safety, and consent.

So how do you strike the right balance? Here are some tips to help you share smarter.

1. Think Long-Term

What you post today could still be floating around when your child is 16 and applying for their first job. Before sharing, ask yourself: Would they be happy with this photo online in 10 years? If the answer is “probably not,” keep it offline.

2. Check Your Privacy Settings

Make sure you know exactly who can see your posts. Consider creating private groups or family-only albums for updates about your kids. It’s a safer way to share the big (and small) moments without broadcasting them to the whole internet.

3. Avoid Personal Identifiers

As tempting as it is to post the cute back-to-school snap with their uniform and school name, it’s best to avoid details that reveal locations, full names, or routines. A little cropping, or simply leaving certain info out goes a long way.

4. Ask Before You Post (When They’re Old Enough)

Once your kids are school-aged, involve them in the decision. Ask: “Do you want me to share this picture?” It teaches them about consent and helps build digital awareness from an early age.

5. Be Mindful of Embarrassing Moments

Yes, the spaghetti-on-the-head photo is hilarious now, but your child might not find it so funny later. Celebrate them online with respect, share the wins, the sweet memories, the silly smiles, but think twice about posts that could embarrass them down the line.

6. Balance the Story

It’s easy to let your feed become all about your children, but remember. you have an identity outside of being a parent. Mix in your own milestones, hobbies, and experiences too. It not only protects your kids’ privacy, but also reminds you (and them) that you’re more than “mum” or “dad.”

7. When in Doubt, Keep It Offline

Not everything needs to be shared. Some moments are special precisely because they’re private, just for you, your child, and your inner circle. Sometimes the best way to hold onto a memory is to keep it in your heart (and maybe your camera roll).

Sharenting isn’t all bad. It can be joyful, connecting, and celebratory. But with a little thought, you can share your children’s lives in a way that keeps them safe, respected, and in control of their digital footprint.

After all, your kids will inherit more than your photo albums, they’ll inherit the online story you’re writing about them, too.