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Sharenting and the Cycle of Validation: Why Oversharing Your Child’s Life Online is Riskier Than You Think?


2 kids on their iPads

In today’s digital age, many children’s lives are shared online before they can form their own identities. By the age of five, the Australian eSafety Commissioner estimates that a child may already have up to 1,000 photos posted online (Australian eSafety Commissioner, 2024). This practice, known as sharenting, has become so normalised that we rarely stop to consider its implications. What starts as a way to celebrate milestones or connect with loved ones can quickly evolve into a cycle of seeking validation through likes and comments. But behind the likes lies a deeper cost—one that risks compromising our children’s privacy, autonomy, and future.

But what are we truly sacrificing when we overshare our children’s lives for digital applause?


As someone who has worked closely with the psychological effects of social media, I’ve seen firsthand how the constant pull for approval shapes not only adolescents but also adults. In this blog, we’ll explore social media's addictive nature, the dangers of oversharing, and the gaps in laws that fail to protect your children. Finally, we'll discuss practical steps parents can take to safeguard their children’s privacy and autonomy.


Table of Contents


The Addiction Behind the Overshare

Social media platforms are expertly designed to keep us engaged, with each notification sparking a dopamine rush that reinforces the habit of posting.  For many parents, what starts as a simple desire to share their child's milestones can morph into a constant need for external approval.


 A study done by Lindström et al. (2021) offers insight into how this psychological pull works. Analysing over one million posts from more than 4,000 individuals, they found that social media platforms exploit the brain's reward system through reinforcement learning. Each ‘like’ or comment activates neural pathways associated with dopamine—the same neurotransmitter that fuels other addictive behaviours. This creates a cycle where the desire to share becomes fuelled by the very affirmation that social media provides, keeping users, including parents, in a constant loop of posting.


It’s a fine line that many parents walk without realizing just how deeply social media has rewired their behaviour. This raises important questions: Are we sharing these precious moments for our children's benefit, or for the validation it brings us? When does the desire for recognition risk overshadowing the very privacy and autonomy we’re supposed to be protecting?


But addiction isn’t the only issue; the consequences extend beyond the parents’ behaviour and directly impact children’s safety.


It’s a fine line that many parents walk without realizing just how deeply social media has rewired their behaviour. This raises important questions: Are we sharing these precious moments for our children's benefit, or for the validation it brings us? When does the desire for recognition risk overshadowing the very privacy and autonomy we’re supposed to be protecting?

The Risks of Oversharing

One of the most alarming dangers of oversharing personal information online is the increased risk of online child exploitation. In the 2023–24 financial year, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) reported 58,503 cases of online child sexual exploitation, reflecting a 45% increase from the previous year (AFP, 2024). This surge mirrors the ever-growing influence of social media in our daily lives.


What many parents fail to realise is that it’s often the small, seemingly harmless moments—like the first day of school photos or posts about weekend activities that put children at risk. By sharing these details, we unknowingly provide predators with the tools to exploit, manipulate, and groom our children. Every time we post such personal information; we give strangers and potential predators a window into our families’ lives—access they wouldn’t normally have.


Legal and Regulatory Context

The law has always struggled to keep pace with technological advancements, and the children’s digital privacy is no exception. Small steps have been made in some regions—like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which empowers individuals, including minors, to request the removal of personal data (European Union, 2018). However, many parts of the world, including the United States and Australia, lack robust legal frameworks to protect children’s digital privacy. This legal vacuum places the onus on parents to act responsibly. Unfortunately, these measures are not enough in the rapidly evolving world of social media. Until comprehensive regulations are in place, parents must safeguard their children’s digital identities.

 

So, how can parents take action in the absence of clear legal guidelines?


Pause before posting: Reflect on whether the post serves your child’s interests or your own need for validation.

Breaking the Cycle of Oversharing

As parents, our primary responsibility is to safeguard our children, both offline and online. Here are some steps to break the cycle of oversharing:


  • Pause before posting: Reflect on whether the post serves your child’s interests or your own need for validation.

  • Use privacy settings: Restrict access to trusted individuals.

  • Educate yourself: Learn about digital privacy risks and best practices.

  • Empower your child: Involve them in decisions about their online presence as they grow.

  • Share photos privately: Use a family album or group chat to protect their privacy.


By adopting these practices, you’re not just protecting your child’s privacy—you’re also preserving their right to define their own identity.




 
This isn’t about fear-mongering—it’s about fostering mindfulness. Just as we teach our children to cross the street safely, we must model caution and consent in the digital world.

Sharenting may have started as a way to share joy, but its implications demand careful reconsideration. From the addictive nature of social media to the safety at risk and lack of legal protection, poses significant risks that demand attention. This isn’t about fear-mongering—it’s about fostering mindfulness. Just as we teach our children to cross the street safely, we must model caution and consent in the digital world. By pausing before we post we can set a powerful example that prioritises our children’s privacy. The choices we make today will shape the digital futures of the ones we love most.


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