Posting pictures of poorly children on FB

[Jifmicroliquid]

Why?? Why would anyone take a photo of a poorly looking (and crying!) young child, post it on FB and put a status about how awful it is that they feel so poorly. What kind of mother does that??
Do children not deserve any privacy anymore?

Is this the done thing now or is this just amongst a few of my friends? I’m really shocked that people do this. Of course there are lots of comments wishing the child well, which is fine. But did it really need a photo?

Same here. My son has just finished his chemo treatment and posting on Facebook has made the most sense.

I hope your daughter is doing well.

I know someone who does this ALL the time. Almost daily. She (mum) herself always has an issue/problem/illness that is posted all over social media with accompanying photos and she does it with her children too. Its pitiful and somewhat embarrassing. Unfortunately, as her children are growing up, they are learning and mimicking mum's behavior.

That’s great that he’s better than he was but still in hospital sounds hard. If it brings you comfort then it’s worth doing. I hope your little one gets better every day.

I just think that a 4 year old child can’t consent to having that sort of photo shared of them online.
She is clearly unwell and upset in the photo. Her mum has stuck a camera in her face and then posted it for all to see.
If my mother had produced a camera when I having a bad day during my childhood illness, I would have found it really odd and upsetting.

A status update on a child is one thing, but I really feel that posting the picture of said vulnerable and crying child is absolutely horrific.

I’m shocked that there are people out there who think this is ok. It’s a poorly, distressed child having a camera shoved in her face so her mother can get some likes and comments.

I'll bet every person contributing on this thread has been judged for something they've shared unless they don't have social media at all (and even then, someone will have looked down their nose at some behaviour or actions)

It's easy enough to think our way is always the right way but we don't have the experience others do so how can we comprehend why they act as they do.

Hadn't read your last post @Jifmicroliquid and when you put it that way it does make me feel uncomfortable.
I don't know though. Is this a parent feeling the need to prove their child isn't well?
Maybe you know them enough to know what's going on or is it a Facebook friend who you don't know intimately?
I can't say I'd take a photo of my distressed child rather than trying to comfort them but I also don't know this person or what's happening in their life.

YANBU. We chose not to share any photos of our children on social media at a time that was unusual (eldest is 14) and I’ve no regrets. Photos on the internet are forever.

A friend once posted a picture of her parent on FB, still sedated after having surgery, tubes sticking out everywhere, saying something like how upset they were to see them in that state. I found it so shocking, surely everyone deserves some privacy when they are ill and vulnerable?

Exactly this. When I’ve had an ill child the last thing on my mind is to post a photo of them on Facebook for everyone to see. It’s attention seeking & reflects badly on the parent. I’d have been fuming if my parent had done this to me.

Thanks. Fingers crossed, I'm hoping we can be home by Christmas.

Comfort and as a pp who has also had a child with cancer, awareness. I didn't think it would be my child until it was.

I 100% agree. My friend does this all the time with her teen/tween children. Looking their absolute worst, with a downtrodden, sad, sullen expression on their face for all to see. Its not right.

I agree that it's really intrusive.

It feels similar to people who 'check in' on Facebook to the local hospital. For some sort of attention/sympathy I'm not sure.

For what it's worth, I think posting a child's cancer update and posting a photo of your kid laying on the sofa having just been sick with a normal sickness bug are two different things.

A friends daughter has a son who has mild asthma and although has lots of family support always puts the child ( aged 9) on a bed with the nebuliser on! For FB I've advised her on how to get a home nebuliser ( VAT free if dr agrees) but she won't get one... My child suffered badly with asthma and a home nebuliser was invaluable to keep her out of hospital. Then comes the Christmas FB post how her kids aged 9 are handing out half dozen chocolate treats to their favourite nurses and other kids 🙄 Just do something nice without telling all of SM.

I’m not even sure why I’m shocked as the same person pierced her kids ears as a baby and then showed photos of her sore, red ears and upset face after it had been done.