Sharenting: How Much Is Too Much to Post About Your Kids Online

Ever heard the term “sharenting”? It’s a mashup of “sharing” and “parenting,” and it basically describes what so many of us do every day: posting photos, updates, and funny stories about our kids online.

These days, sharenting has pretty much become the norm. Parents are posting on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and even in private family group chats; anywhere they can share those cute moments in real time.

But behind every sweet post is a question we don’t always pause to ask: How much sharing is too much?

Should we be documenting every milestone for the world to see? Are we accidentally creating a digital footprint our kids might not want later? And even more importantly, could all this sharing actually put our kids in danger?

If you’ve ever hovered over the “share” button and thought, “Am I oversharing?” you’re in the right place. Let’s take a look at the world of sharenting our kids online, from the thrill of likes to the real risks of digital footprints and online safety.

Why We Share: Connection, Pride & A Little Validation

Before we get into it, let’s acknowledge the why.

Personally? I have three kids, and if you scroll through my personal Facebook page, you’ll see it’s basically a highlight reel of them; first days of school, silly faces at dinner, family vacation adventures. I don’t really post much else, and I don’t post often.

Now that they’re older, I always ask their permission before sharing. But when they were younger? I shared everything. Because they were so freaking adorable and I needed everyone to know it! I’ll admit it, that’s my real why. I want people to see just how cute my kiddos are.

We share because we’re proud. Because these little cuties are the best thing we’ve ever done, and it feels too big to keep to ourselves. Social media connects us with family and friends who might not get to witness their adorableness if we don’t post the pic.

But sometimes, when we pause and ask “Who is this really for?” the answer can be a mix of connection, validation, and, yep, a little dopamine hit from those likes and comments. And that’s okay, we just need to be thoughtful about it.

For example, a few weeks ago, my husband posted a photo of our tween daughter asleep in the car (mouth open and everything, you know the kind). Let’s just say… she was not impressed and demanded that it be deleted, which it was. It was a good reminder that they’re real people with real feelings, and sometimes, they don’t want their not-so-flattering moments broadcast to the world. Even if you think it’s adorable.

Quick note: Sharenting doesn’t always mean oversharing, but it can. It really depends on how much you share, how often, and whether you’re protecting your child’s privacy.

The Privacy Cost: More Than Just Likes

Here’s the tough part. Every time we post, we’re creating a digital record of our kids, often before they’re old enough to understand what privacy even means.

According to a 2018 study by Barclays, the average parent will post 1,500 photos of their child online before they turn five. Let that sink in. That’s 1,500 little breadcrumbs of information: names, birthdays, locations, habits, all out there, often permanently.

And while we like to think, “My account is private, so it’s fine,” the reality is that nothing online is ever truly private. Photos can be screenshot, downloaded, or shared beyond our friends and family in seconds.

It gets even darker. Even the most innocent photos can end up in the wrong hands. According to the Australian eSafety Commissioner, half of the images found on pedophile forums are taken from parents’ social media accounts. These images can also circulate on the dark web, where they’re used and shared by people with harmful intentions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has even cautioned parents about sharenting. They warn that this can not only affect children’s privacy today but also shape their future identity and digital footprint in ways we can’t fully predict.

And let’s not forget: as kids get older, these posts can impact their self-esteem, friendships, and even future opportunities. Whether it’s college admissions, a first job, or just trying to dodge that one middle school frenemy, those old posts can pop up when they least want them to.

So, before you post that funny bathtub photo (even if all ‘parts’ are covered) or embarrassing dance video, take a second to think: Could this come back to haunt them someday? Because chances are, if it lives online, it just might.

Gut-Check Questions Before You Post

If you’re feeling stuck, here are a few questions I use before hitting “share”:

• Would I want this photo or story shared about me at that age?
• Am I posting for connection, or for validation?
• Could this embarrass or upset my child now or later?
• Have I asked for their consent (if they’re old enough to understand)?
• Would I be okay if this went beyond my intended audience?

If the answers make you hesitate, it might be a sign to keep that moment just for you.

Finding Your Boundaries (And Sticking to Them)

Once you realize just how much of your child’s life might be online, it can feel overwhelming. But, there are plenty of practical ways to protect your kids’ privacy while still sharing those sweet moments with your friends and family.

First, check your privacy settings and update them regularly. A 2022 Pew Research Center report found that only 53% of parents regularly check these settings. Privacy settings can sometimes change when there are phone or app updates.

Whenever your phone’s operating system (like iOS or Android) or a social media app (like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok) rolls out a major update, it can reset certain settings back to default or introduce new features that you need to review.

For example, an update might automatically turn location tagging back on, change who can see your posts, or add new data-sharing permissions you didn’t explicitly agree to. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly double-check your privacy settings after any big update, even if you think they’re locked in.

Limit posts to “Friends Only” or a “Close Friends” list rather than public, review your friend list at least once a year, and turn off location tagging so posts don’t reveal where you live or places your child frequents.

Next, avoid sharing identifying details like full names, birth dates, school names, and specific locations or routines. Even casual background clues, like a school logo on a backpack or a street sign, can be used to piece together personal info.

Some parents choose to blur their child’s face or use emojis before posting. Apps like YouCam Perfect, Blur Photo Editor, and even built-in tools on Instagram and TikTok make this easy.

It’s also smart to disable photo tagging. Even if your account is private, friends might tag your child, making them more discoverable. On Facebook, for example, you can change your settings to require approval before tags appear.

If your child is old enough to understand, ask for their consent before sharing. A 2021 survey from the University of Michigan found that 81% of teens wished their parents would ask before posting.

Giving kids a voice in what gets shared helps them feel respected and more in control of their online identity.

Consider private family sharing options, too. Apps like Tinybeans, FamilyAlbum, or Google Photos shared albums let you share updates with select loved ones without putting images on public platforms.

Finally, audit your old posts. It’s never too late to scroll back and remove or archive anything that might reveal too much or make your child uncomfortable later on.

There’s no single “right” way to share (or not share) your kids online. The goal is to find the balance between keeping them safe while still sharing those adorable moments.

Sharenting Smart: Trusting Your Gut and Protecting Your Kids

Most parents today feel almost expected to document every milestone, from first steps to first day of school, and everything in between. It’s become such a part of modern parenting that not posting can sometimes make you feel like the odd one out.

The good news? You don’t have to stop sharing altogether. You just have to be intentional. Check your privacy settings, blur those faces when it makes sense, ask for their permission, and think twice before you hit “post.”

And if you’ve already overshared a bit? Join the club, most of us have. You can always start fresh, tighten things up, and involve your kids in the process going forward.

There’s no perfect formula here. It’s all about finding what feels right for your family and adjusting as your kids grow.

So next time you’re hovering over that “share” button, take a minute. Ask yourself if this is a moment that really needs to live online, or if it might be even sweeter as a private memory.

Looking for more posts on motherhood? Check out these other posts:

• Quotes for Overwhelmed Moms
• Powerful Self-Care Affirmations for Moms
• Relaxing Mandala Coloring Pages