The photos are yours, the childhood is theirs — Rozita Wahab and Norsafatul Aznin A. Razak

September 16 — In today's digital age, children are more visible online than ever before. Family photos and videos that were once private are now shared publicly, and some children have even become "kid influencers" with sizable followings and brand deals. This phenomenon, known as "sharenting," raises concerns about a child's privacy, safety, and long-term development.

A nationwide study conducted by researchers at Universiti Malaya found that 62.2% of 325 parents actively share content about their children, most often sharing everyday moments and daily activities. Among 395 adults who are not yet parents themselves, 37.7% reported doing the same, often sharing siblings' or family members' daily activities or life achievements.

This study also found that ethical sharenting habits, such as asking a child's permission first, are a stronger predictor of children's wellbeing than parents' general safety awareness.

Developmental psychology theories help explain the impact of sharenting on a child's development. Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory suggests that children build their sense of initiative and self-confidence during preschool age through free play and everyday routine. Frequent interruptions by the camera can disrupt this process and affect children's development in later stages.

Bandura's social learning theory indicates that children learn through observing and imitating adults and peers, and if sharing becomes a normal part of daily life, children may see online exposure as ordinary. Bowlby's attachment theory highlights that secure parent-child bonds are built through consistent, loving interactions kept away from an audience.

Regularly sharing intimate moments for public viewing risks turning intimacy into performance, no longer a space solely belonging to parent and child.

These theories remind us that behind every upload lies a developing child's process, and the balance between sharing and protecting requires constant attention. Despite knowing the risks, parents and adults often fail to act on them. Responsible sharenting practices include asking for a child's permission before sharing, protecting their information, keeping hard moments private, making space offline, and discussing the matter openly.

Before posting content, individuals should ask themselves how the child will feel about it when they are older, and if the answer is uncertain, keeping the content private may be the safer choice.