Social media and child's privacy

[whatyousayin]

Why do people feel the need to share every moment of their child's existence?

Does anyone actually care about what someone else kid is doing all the time? I literally couldn't care less, in fact, I find it irritating.

What happened to privacy? I have a DS and never post pictures of him online, because I think I wouldn't have wanted my mum to do this to me. It also appears to be a way of showing off, which is awful in itself.

Personally, I think it very selfish to post your child all over the internet, they are getting pushed into a world of social media, without even having a choice. There life documented for all to see.. whether they like it or not.

What are others opinions on this?

*Their

I think there’s a balance to be found. Posting a nice pic of a day out or a birthday is quite sweet and worth a share.
But I do find it really odd when someone’s Facebook page essentially becomes their child’s Facebook page and all they do is document their child’s life. There are people from school that I’m ‘friends’ with on Facebook and I know a hell of a lot about their children but very little about them, even what they look like. They post nothing about themselves, not even photos of themselves with their children - it is literally just their children’s life story. I think it’s the sort of thing that in 30 years time people will look back on and consider irresponsible parenting.
I agree, if this had been a thing when I was a child I wouldn’t now be comfortable knowing that so many people who are strangers to me - basically just randomers that even my mum barely knows as she hasn’t seen them since school - know so much about me and my childhood. I find the idea unnerving.

Yanbu

I did in noughties before I realised what it meant. Plus I saw dd annoyance at being on social medial with our consent. Now I only share pictures of my children with close friends and family.

Oh for god's sake just come off social media if it annoys you that much. I enjoy seeing my family and friend's kids. Some I don't see that much and it's a nice way to see who they're becoming.

You're assuming the younger generation will have the same expectations as you. They won't, social media is part of their every day existence.

I think it's hugely unfair to post lots about your children online. Their privacy is destroyed forever.

I think thinks like family and parent vlogging, which is slightly different, are child abuse and the parents should face prison terms.

I post photos, with my teenagers consent. I don’t post anything personal about them anymore, but I do post nice things about their education etc (celebrate good things). People who say it’s showing off etc, this is the reason social media exists. No-one is forced to use it.

I do have private groups with smaller numbers of people I’ve known since baby groups. They know many things about my children (health issues) but I don’t post really personal things even there

I have a friend who said that one of her children doesn't want her to post her photos online and she doesn't.

I've got friends that post everything about their children. I know what school they go.

I've accidentally clicked on a random persons profile whilst scrolling and it's just photos of their child.

I can understand the odd photo here and there; but with some people, they post everything. I don't want to see a photo of your child in hospital.

I think it is unfair on children to post much. Once they are in secondary they can start to choose for themselves.

I have never posted a picture of my kids and the older ones say they preferred that we didn't, they have some annoyed friends!

It depends on the nature and frequency of the photos. Family holidays, educational milestones, important family events are all OK in my opinion. Frequent posts about mundane things less so, and definitely not of them in hospital /ill.

The second you take them to a city Center their privacy is gone forever

Social media is besides the point

All of my social media is private and only seen by family and close friends. I post fun things my kids are doing sometimes.

Those things ar in the slightest bit comparable.

Are you comparing a child being seen by others or being on CCTV to a permanent record on their photos on the internet?

How is that the same thing?

During covid I had a friend who purposefully documented what she and her children did every day on social media as a sort of living history, I could have unfollowed or hidden her if i didnt want to see it and I suggest you do that too

The oversharers will never stop.

No it's cringeworthy and I feel sorry for the kids.
They haven't consented and aren't old enough to understand.
The worse one I saw recently was a picture of a child and the parent saying how did we create such a beauty!!!

@HamiltonFan1 They are in no way comparable.

A few photos of your children online for birthdays etc. fair enough to a certain extent.

Photos and videos of them every single day and in the case of vloggers that I mentioned - those videos of their first poo, first bath, toddler tantrums etc. are forever searchable online and usually attached for their name.

Parents need to really consider their privacy settings and who exactly is following them. How many people need to know which school your kids go to? Are you giving away your address? Medical details?
It's dangerous and grossly unfair.

We have a neighbour who is a teacher and she literally dumps a whole load of photos 2-3 times a week I mean ‘dump’ no comments just like 60-70 photos. Some are weird like 10 pics of the kids sleeping! Sometimes her kids share a bed - they all share the same bedroom - all three kids do. We know all this cos of Facebook!!

The ones who make a living from selling their family's privacy are wrong to do what they do. Even worse are the people who follow them like dogs after a fox smell, excusing even the worst things some of them do/have done.
One particular family document everything and earn a fortune out of it. Their family roots are embedded in child grooming (proven) yet their fawning fans argue the same every single time- they stayed together and went on to have a huge family? How does that erase the past? How do they sleep knowing every single personal detail of their children is available worldwide at a few clicks? I used to share pictures in the early days of social media but am now older and wiser.

Its boring for your friends, cringey and weird. Just stop! You can share photos via whatsapp, imessage, google etc.