Sharenting risks and digital identity for children

The practice of ‘sharenting’—the public or semi-public disclosure of information, images, or videos of minors by caregivers in digital environments—presents significant risks to a child's digital identity. Unlike traditional family albums, digital content on the internet can be permanent, easily copied, and widely accessible.

Research suggests that parents often engage in this behavior due to social reinforcement. Positive feedback, such as comments and likes, acts as a psychological reward that makes the habit of posting personal milestones, anecdotes, and photos almost automatic. This creates a digital archive that exists before a child has even developed autobiographical memory, potentially creating a public past that the individual cannot remember or control.