Sharenting
The practice of parents regularly sharing photos, videos, and details about their children on social media. This can create a digital footprint for a child before they can consent.
Sharenting is the practice of parents routinely posting photos, videos, and details about their children on social media, building a digital footprint for a child long before they are old enough to consent to it.
In plain English
The practice of parents regularly sharing photos, videos, and details about their children on social media. This can create a digital footprint for a child before they can consent.
Why it matters
Sharenting can reveal where a child lives, the school they attend, and intimate moments they may later object to. The ICO\'s Children\'s Code stresses the principle of a child\'s best interests in data processing, which applies to family decisions too.
Related
Risks and topics
Frequently Asked Questions
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-17