Sharenting – between care and privacy violation. A case study

Sharenting, defined as parents posting photos and information about their children on social media, is a phenomenon that raises many ethical and legal controversies. Creating a virtual diary and sharing memories are just some of the many motives of parents, who are often unaware of the consequences of disclosing sensitive information about their children. The consequences of such actions for minors from an early age include loss of privacy and anonymity, risk of exposure to cyberbullying, and difficulties in building relationships with peers. In later stages of life, e.g. in the professional sphere, an employer may verify a candidate’s digital footprint and, based on content published without their consent, negatively assess their job application. Influencers are a special group who actively share information about their children. In their case, sharenting is a form of brand building, profit generation and, consequently, the commercialisation of childhood.