Community
News
ASK-A PRO
PERKS
ARE WE “SHARENTING” TOO MUCH? Did you know that about 92% of 2-year-olds in the U.S. already have an online presence, according to a survey by the internet security firm AVG? Most children’s first digital footprints are being created by their parents, and researchers caution that parents should stop and consider their children’s privacy and how their posts may affect them in the future. While the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) limits the collection or release of information via the internet prior to 13 years of age, many children already have a lengthy “digital profile” due to their parents’ social media use. This use is called “sharenting”.
“Sharenting” is when parents or grandparents - share details of children’s lives online. Sometimes parenting issues are discussed on social media sites to get advice; other times posts help us stay connected with family and friends. According to the 2014 C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 84% of moms and 70% of fathers of young children report using social media. Common topics include getting kids to sleep, eating tips, discipline, daycare/preschool, and behavior concerns. Quizzically, 74% of parents know another parent who they feel has shared too much on social media, and 52% are concerned their own children will be embarrassed when they are older by what has been shared on social media. So the question is, “Are we oversharenting?”
CREATE YOUR
SMILES
WITH US
Unintended consequences may develop from oversharenting. The first concern is safety. Sharing a child’s location or personal details may be fodder for identity thieves and child predators. Creepiest of all, the article said that children’s photos can be photoshopped into pornographic websites, especially photographs with a child in any state of undress, like bathing in the tub. In some cases, people are “stealing” photos of kids and resharing them as if the children were their own. This odd behavior is called digital kidnapping. A second unintended consequence is the life of the information. While sharing a child’s behavioral struggles may bring helpful advice for parents today, the info may be something youth wished hadn’t been made public when they get older. Information on the internet lasts forever. Neither the child nor the parent have control over who sees the information years later or where it ends up. Embarrassing photos, for example, can lead to cyber conflict and even bullying as well as create feelings of loss of self of control within the young person. What to do? There are invitation-only photo sharing platforms parents can use. Also, once kids are old enough to weigh in, it’s recommended they have veto power before parents post—even as young as 6 or 7 according to Wendy Swanson, pediatrician and executive director of digital health at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Also, here are six things ‘tweens and teens don’t want their parents to do on social media (Woman’s Day 2017): • Don’t constantly brag about them online. • Don’t reprimand them on social media.
• Don’t insert yourself into their online conversations with their friends.
• Don’t rant about anything on your parent site; it sets a poor example and embarrasses them.
• Don’t stage photo shoots on every family outing; just enjoy the moment. • Don’t tag your child in posts, jokes or videos. They may not find them amusing or appropriate. Crystal D. Overby, DDS • James A. Nelson, DDS • Kristin R. Schoch, DDS
1700 E. Interstate Ave, Bismarck 701-222-GRIN • www.polished-dental.net 24 | Chamber Connection
Parenting in the digital age requires digital diligence. These sharenting tips are shared for your reflection.