In thinking it's not ok to reveal your son's ASD diagnosis to 4million strangers on Instagram?

Dabralor · 2023-12-21T09:46:32+00:00

Mrs Hunch - Instagram cleaning woman- has posted a pic with her little son. He's had an autism diagnosis confirmed. How can it be justifiable to share his private medical information with all these random strangers? Wherever he goes now in his life, a quick Google search will reveal really personal information about him. This information is no longer his to possess. If my parents had done this to me, I don't think I could ever forgive them. I feel really sorry for the kids of social media stars 😔.

TomeTome · 21/12/2023 09:49

Would you feel the same about other diagnosis or is it just ASD? For example could she mention he was epileptic, diabetic, dyslexic or colour blind?

toastofthetown · 21/12/2023 09:49

I don’t think any photos or information on children should be broadcast on the internet. It should be the children (when they grow up) who decide what their digital presence should be, not their parents.

Kedece · 21/12/2023 09:50

Well every aspect of his life has been documented up to now so it's no surprise. No doubt she'll be exploiting his diagnosis from now on in her posts

People like her don't care about things like her sons privacy. It's all about engagement & how much money she can make..

A diagnosis of any condition will be money in the bank to people like her

marquislafayette · 21/12/2023 09:51

I just looked her up and apparently she has also been diagnosed as autistic

SD1978 · 21/12/2023 09:51

@TomeTome- personally- yes. I don't agree with disclosing children's medical history on the internet

GoodOldEmmaNess · 21/12/2023 09:52

It's horrible, isn't it. I had to unfollow someone that I really liked and respected becasue she was massively oversharing about her autistic son.

Sodapop1 · 21/12/2023 09:52

I agree OP and I think it’s disgusting the way influences and the like use their children for money or engagement without their consent. I really think this will blow up in a big way in the future and more ought to be done to regulate it. I expect this thread will get removed btw.

FranticallyFrank · 21/12/2023 09:52

It’s not ok at all. There are going to be cracking memoirs written by the insta kids in 20 years time.

ManateeFair · 21/12/2023 09:53

Why is it any different from mentioning that your child's diabetic or has asthma? Or that they have a broken leg? Or that they have Down's Syndrome? People in life mention these things about their children all the time, and it's pretty normal for celebrities to mention them too. It's not like it's an embarrassing thing to be hidden.

HairdryerMary · 21/12/2023 09:53

Also she made it seem so quick and easy. He's tiny so he can't have been on the waiting list for four years like we have.

Original poster

Dabralor · 21/12/2023 09:54

@TomeTome I think I would object, actually. Unless that child had capacity to consent to it being shared. But not sure that should ever be asked of a child?

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veryfondoftea · 21/12/2023 09:55

It's not something to feel shameful about. My DC (9) is very proud of their ASD diagnosis and likes to educate people about it. You could see it that she is raising awareness.
However, I do agree that these influencers shouldn't in general be sharing so much about their children.

Original poster

Dabralor · 21/12/2023 09:57

@ManateeFair I don't think it's different at all - I don't believe in any of this stuff being shared, really. Fair enough I suppose if it's on a personal, private account among people you know, and you've judged as a parent that your child wouldn't mind. But this is Content on an account where she has a commercial interest- whatever he does in his life, this information is no longer his to own. It's kind of theft, in a way.

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Grimbelina · 21/12/2023 09:59

ManateeFair

Why is it any different from mentioning that your child's diabetic or has asthma? Or that they have a broken leg? Or that they have Down's Syndrome? People in life mention these things about their children all the time, and it's pretty normal for celebrities to mention them too. It's not like it's an embarrassing thing to be hidden.

I think that this is all personal medical information and there is a question over whether it is really in the best interests of these children that their private health issues are shared widely. Usually it is in the best interests of the parents and not the child. It is not about it being embarrassing - these children are not consenting to this.

In some cases it may be true that a child wants to be part of raising awareness of their condition and helping other children, but again this needs to be really carefully thought through... which I doubt most social media posters are doing.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 21/12/2023 09:59

My daughter is autistic (not necessarily obviously to those who don't know her) and I don't share it on social media but I do tell friends etc (as does she).

I don't share as think it's her news to tell people but i do follow a few people with autistic children (particularly those who present somewhat similarly to her) and find it helpful so I'm a bit torn as those who do share raise awareness and reduce stigma.

It shouldn't be any different to sharing your child has a broken leg etc but realistically it is as people definitely still judge autistic children - even my friend who has two autistic children keeps going on about when my child will 'fall off a cliff' - I don't find it helpful!

Original poster

Dabralor · 21/12/2023 10:00

@veryfondoftea - that's great, how brilliant that they are educating people about neuro diversity. I honestly think that's a wonderful thing.
But they've made the choice to do this. This little child hasn't- it's been done to him, and that's the difference.

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LittleMrsPretty · 21/12/2023 10:01

How else is awareness of ASD communicated? If people like Mrs Hinch (By that I mean people with influence) don't share it. I hope her posts help educate the ignorant people like you.

She may be many things but I don’t see how you can criticise this.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 21/12/2023 10:01

I actually feel quite disgusted that so many people like this hide blatant monetising of every detail of their child's life (because yes I do believe it's for the £) behind "raising awareness ".

This isn't some altruistic action it's knowing they have added something new to their content.

Ostryga · 21/12/2023 10:02

The only reason she’s sharing it is for more engagement. It’s all about money.

The only person who should ever be sharing their medical history is the person themselves. I have epilepsy, I am the only person I am comfortable talking about my own disability! If someone else shared on my behalf I would be furious.

Just because he is a child doesn’t mean he deserves less privacy.

Nineteendays · 21/12/2023 10:02

@LittleMrsPretty
Mrs hinch has said that she’s been diagnosed as autistic too so she could still raise awareness by talking about her own diagnosis and experience. She doesn’t need to share her sons experience with the world. Whether it is asd, diabetes, whatever. It’s his personal information to share, not hers

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 21/12/2023 10:03

Nineteendays · 21/12/2023 10:02

@LittleMrsPretty
Mrs hinch has said that she’s been diagnosed as autistic too so she could still raise awareness by talking about her own diagnosis and experience. She doesn’t need to share her sons experience with the world. Whether it is asd, diabetes, whatever. It’s his personal information to share, not hers

Edited

This and she could very quickly start highlighting what life is like for young kids with autism once she has that platform.

Original poster

Dabralor · 21/12/2023 10:04

@LittleMrsPretty - thanks for your insights but I am very much not 'ignorant' about neurodiversity.

I'm just concerned about children's lives being shared in public when they have no capacity to consent.

I think you've slightly missed the point?

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Creepybookworm · 21/12/2023 10:05

My young adult DS1 has ADHD and dyslexia. I cannot express to you how annoyed he would be if I had shared that on social media. Even his grandparents don't know. Some people grow up to be intensly private and assuming that will be the case is probably the safest course of action.

Original poster

Dabralor · 21/12/2023 10:07

@Creepybookworm totally agree.

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magicmole · 21/12/2023 10:07

ManateeFair · 21/12/2023 09:53

Why is it any different from mentioning that your child's diabetic or has asthma? Or that they have a broken leg? Or that they have Down's Syndrome? People in life mention these things about their children all the time, and it's pretty normal for celebrities to mention them too. It's not like it's an embarrassing thing to be hidden.

It makes no difference if it's asthma or autism, I wouldn't share anything about my child's medical status with strangers online. A child can't consent to the information being made public.