
Experts are warning parents against sharing too many details about their children on social media, explaining that doing so can have long-term effects on their children's mental health.
According to an article from the Cleveland Clinic, "sharenting" refers to "the act of digital oversharing, of posting excessive amounts of information, photos, or updates about your child's life."
Such examples are related to the publication of private details in a child's life, such as finishing an exercise class, receiving a diploma, moments from vacations, etc. Over the years, these posts can damage a child's self-esteem, according to Susan Albers, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic.
"Sometimes, parents unknowingly put pressure on their children by creating an idealized image online of who their child is," she explained. "This can lead to declines in self-esteem with age and over time."
Albers added that even if a parent's post has positive intentions, the act of sharing too much detail about a child's life "comes with a lot of gray and unknown areas." "Social media sharing is related to the child's privacy, autonomy, protection and right to informed consent," Albers said. "Some countries have put rules in place to ensure parents can post safely.
The full effects of "sharenting" have not yet been fully analyzed, but experts warn that the mental health problems caused by the many shares on Instagram or Facebook are beginning to be noticed in teenagers.
"Be aware that children are already subject to isolation and feelings of loneliness and isolation because of how they are treated or bullied on social media," she explained.
Numerous studies have shown that this leads to worsening anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and even suicidal thoughts in most teenage girls.
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