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Why ‘sharenting’ could impact your child’s future, according to an online education expert

Why ‘sharenting’ could impact your child’s future, according to an online education expert

From baby photos to school snaps, experts warn some social posts could follow children into adulthood.

Published: March 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM

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From first steps to first days at school, many children now have a digital footprint before they can even write their own name. For lots of us, sharing family milestones online feels natural, even joyful.

But one online education expert is warning that certain posts, however well meaning, could have longer term consequences for our children’s privacy, safety and even future opportunities.

David Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School, says parents do not need to stop sharing altogether, but they do need to think carefully about what they post and why.

What is ‘sharenting’ and why are experts concerned?

‘Sharenting’ is the term used to describe parents sharing details about their children’s lives on social media. That might mean birthday photos, funny quotes, first day of school pictures or honest posts about parenting struggles.

According to Smith, the issue is not about shaming parents. It is about understanding how permanent and searchable online content can be.

“Every photo, every caption, every tagged location becomes part of a child's digital identity,” he says. “And unlike baby books tucked away on a shelf, this identity is searchable, shareable, and nearly impossible to erase.”

As more universities and employers routinely search applicants online, that digital identity can matter more than we might expect.

How social media posts can follow children for years

Smith explains that even posts shared privately can quickly move beyond your control.

Posts do not truly disappear

Even if you delete something, it may already have been saved, screenshotted or archived elsewhere. Social media platforms also retain data on their servers.

Privacy settings are not foolproof

Sharing with a limited number of friends may feel safe, but screenshots can be taken and passed on. What starts with 100 or so followers can easily travel further.

Context changes as children grow up

A photo that feels cute at age two may feel embarrassing at 15.

“Children don't stay children forever,” Smith notes. “What parents see as a funny moment, a teenager might see as a source of embarrassment or worse. And once it's out there, it's nearly impossible to take back.”

Algorithms build a profile over time

Content is stored, categorised and used to shape online profiles. By the time a child is old enough to manage their own social media, a version of them may already exist online.

The types of posts experts say carry the most risk

Smith highlights several categories of content that could pose longer term problems.

Embarrassing or vulnerable moments such as tantrums, potty training mishaps or emotional breakdowns. While relatable for parents, they may expose children at their most vulnerable and potentially open the door to bullying later on.
Identifiable personal information including full names, birthdates, school names and locations. When combined, this information can create security risks.
Detailed posts about struggles such as behavioural issues, learning disabilities or family conflicts. Although often shared to seek support, they can become part of a permanent digital record.
Content shared for likes or virality where engagement is prioritised over privacy. Viral posts are especially difficult to contain or remove.

“Parents need to ask themselves: Am I sharing this for my child's benefit or my own?” Smith says. “If the answer is the latter, it's worth pausing before you post.”

Could it really affect university or job applications?

According to Smith, it is increasingly common for admissions teams and employers to search applicants online.

“The content parents share today can surface in unexpected ways years down the line. College admissions officers and employers routinely search applicants online, and what they find matters. A child who grows up with a well-documented history of behavioural struggles or embarrassing moments may face bias before they even get an interview.”

While this may sound alarming, Smith is clear that parents do not need to disappear from social media entirely.

How to share more safely without going offline

Instead of quitting social platforms, Smith suggests setting clear boundaries.

“That said, sharing doesn't have to stop entirely. Low-risk content includes photos without faces, celebratory moments without identifying details, and achievements that don't reveal sensitive information. Think long term. Ask yourself: Would my child want this online when they're 16? When they're 25?”

He also advises families to agree on what is off limits.

“Set boundaries early. Decide what's off-limits, like bathtime photos, disciplinary issues, and medical information. Talk to family members about your rules. And most importantly, respect your child's growing autonomy. As they get older, let them have a say in what gets shared.”

For many millennial parents, social media is a scrapbook, support network and creative outlet rolled into one. The message from experts is not to stop celebrating your children online, but to pause and picture them as teenagers or adults first.

A quick moment of reflection before hitting post could help protect not just their privacy now, but their opportunities later too.