Don't let social media "steal" your child's childhood.

A child's "digital footprint" can begin even before they are born, through ultrasound images accompanied by loving messages from parents posted on social media. The trend of sharing images of children (also known as "sharenting") is so popular that one in four Western children has already had an online presence before birth.

Báo Phụ nữ Việt Nam•26/05/2026

When childhood is exposed on the Internet

Beyond simply sharing photos, many parents turn their children into social media "stars" (kidfluencers). Every moment – from their first steps, teething, toilet training, to their tantrums – is recorded on video.

Journalist Fortesa Latifi observes that even "private moments are being broadcast to millions of viewers," from puberty to menstruation. A prime example is vlogger Aubree Jones, who turned her teenage daughter's first period into sponsored content for a feminine hygiene brand.

Kidfluencing is a lucrative industry. Top accounts can earn $8-10 million annually, with fees reaching up to $200,000 per sponsored post.

Despite its similarities to acting or child modeling, this field lacks legal safeguards to protect children. In the US, only five states have laws requiring parents to share income with their children. Therefore, all decision-making power – from filming schedules and content control to the child's consent – rests entirely with the parents.

While some children benefit from their social media fame, like Ryan Kaji—who is projected to earn $35 million by 2025 thanks to his YouTube channel with over 40 million subscribers—the downsides of kidfluencing are deeply concerning.

To maximize profits, many parents are drawn to social media algorithms, turning even the most private aspects of their families into content designed to attract views.

For Julie Jeppson, a mother who owns a family YouTube channel featuring her eight children, the most-viewed videos are those of her children getting injured, having nosebleeds, or needing emergency medical attention.

Similarly, Jamie Otis Hehner's family also pinned a video of their young son having a seizure due to a high fever to their Instagram page, which has 1 million followers. This raises questions about parental instinct: When a child is in danger, will they save the child or will they pick up the camera and film?

Even more alarming, the allure of content about mothers and babies has turned childbirth into a commercial tool. A former blogger revealed that many people choose to have more children simply for lucrative advertising deals with brands of strollers, diapers, or pregnancy tests.

Don't let social media

Many parents turn the hidden corners of family life into content for interactive conversations.

Furthermore, the radiant smiles of children on screen often mask real-life pain. Shari Franke, 23, the daughter of a blogger convicted of child abuse in 2024, testified before lawmakers that she was a "victim of family vlogging." Franke argued that the exposure of her childhood across the internet was a trauma that no amount of money could ever compensate for.

In response to this situation, in 2025, the state of Utah passed legislation to protect child social media "stars," requiring parents to deduct a portion of their income and allowing children to request the removal of content about them when they grow up.

The risks of oversharing

Studies have shown that 74% of parents know at least one other parent who regularly shares too much information about their children on social media. Additionally, one in ten parents share information about their children's health issues.

Child clinical psychologist Laura Anderson Kirby notes that disclosing inappropriate or overly sensitive information can become problematic in parent-child relationships, especially as the child grows older.

In fact, excessive sharing can create even more risks. For example, if parents disclose their child's identifying information on social media, such as their full name, home address, or date of birth, hackers could steal the child's identity and use it to register for inappropriate services.

Furthermore, cute photos or humorous comments that parents share about their children can become problematic as the child grows up. Many universities and employers are increasingly scrutinizing applicants' online activity. Therefore, information posted by parents can influence how universities or employers evaluate their children.

Dr. Kirby also pointed out that sharing information with too many people can lead to many problems. For example, when children are young, if they are alone and meet a stranger who seems to know them from their parents' online posts, the child may believe that everyone knows them.

Don't let social media

Research shows that one in ten parents share information about their child's health on social media.

"Sharing" responsibly

Although sharing photos of children on social media always carries risks, parents can still do so responsibly by following appropriate guidelines. First, parents need to think carefully before posting any content by questioning their purpose for sharing and their target audience. If in doubt, choose to send private messages or post in a limited group instead of publicly.

Avoid posting negative or sensitive information such as children's health issues, behavior, or poor academic performance to prevent violating their privacy. If seeking advice or empathy from the community regarding the pressures of raising children, parents should use anonymity on online forums to protect the family's identity.

Respect and open dialogue are key to building trust with children. As soon as your child is old enough, clearly explain what you intend to post, who will see it, and ask for their opinion before sharing. If they refuse, respect their decision. If you accidentally share something that hurts your child, sincerely apologizing and deleting the post will serve as a lesson in responsibility for them.

Conversations about online safety also need to be age-appropriate: Remind young children about the security of the internet and warn them about risks such as cybercrime or data breaches.

Ultimately, the core principle is to avoid sharing too much, especially as children enter their teenage years. Parents need to keep sensitive information such as full names, addresses, and schools absolutely confidential, and make full use of social media privacy settings to narrow down who can see it, maximizing their children's safety.

Sources: The New Yorker, The Economist, Very Well Mind

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/dung-de-mang-xa-hoi-danh-cap-tuoi-tho-cua-con-238260524155400168.htm