Sharenting

Summary
“Sharenting” refers to the practice of parents sharing information, photos, and videos of their children on
social media. Sharenting encompasses various online behaviours, including sharing milestones, day-today activities, and sensitive information about children.
While this trend has become prevalent in the digital age, it raises significant ethical and legal concerns,
particularly in relation to privacy, consent, and an infringement of children’s rights. The negative
outcomes associated with sharenting has resulted in researchers calling for improved regulation by social
media companies with regards to sharenting.
Since children cannot provide informed consent about their online presence, the ethical implications
of parents sharing personal information become increasingly significant. Research has found that
children aged 10 to 17 do not wish their parents share personal information, or content which they find
embarrassing.
Sharenting can also have long-term repercussions on children’s mental health, with research also
suggesting that it can result in an increased risk of children experiencing online bullying and exploitation.
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in using images
of children to create deep fakes, and the information relating to children that can be uncovered by AI
through images posted of them online.
The risks relating to sharing information online has resulted in the introduction of the Children’s Image
Rights Law in France. This legislation provides children with digital rights, which includes the right of
access, rectification or erasure in relation to their personal data.
Whilst recognising the impact of
sharenting on the lives of children and
young people, their safety and wellbeing
may also be impacted by their use of the
internet. The Internet Watch Foundation
found that children under ten are being
increasingly targeted by groomers and
have reported a “record amount of child
sexual abuse”. The Foundation has also
found an increase in the sexual extortion
(or “sextortion”) of children and young
people online, with an increase of 19% in
the first six months of 2023 compared to
2024.

Implications for policing and the wider justice system

Sharenting presents complex challenges for policing and the Criminal Justice system in Scotland and the
UK. As this phenomenon evolves, legal frameworks and policing strategies must be adapted to ensure
the protection of children’s welfare while navigating the digital landscape.

In Scotland, safeguarding children’s personal information is a paramount concern, reflecting a commitment to protecting their privacy and well-being. A focus on safeguarding will helps to prevent potential risks associated with data breaches or misuse will also promote a culture of trust among families and communities regarding the protection of children’s rights in the digital age.

Sharenting may bring new challenges for policing, particularly concerning cybercrime and child
exploitation. The practice can inadvertently expose children to risks such as online predation and
cyberbullying, necessitating proactive responses from Police Forces.

Police Officers are increasingly required to monitor social media for potential threats, while posts can
also serve as crucial evidence in investigations of harassment and exploitation. Whilst addressing
online child exploitation has continued to be a priority for policing at some time, the utilisation of
images posted by the families of children by criminals requires proactive and innovative approaches.
As investigations will further be complicated by the vast volume of online content, this will make it
challenging to identify harmful posts amid the extensive shared information. This complexity requires
sophisticated technologies and methods.

Policing may therefore consider different approaches to mitigate the negative impacts of sharenting.
First, increasing public awareness through educational initiatives focused on the risks associated with
sharenting is essential. Emphasising privacy, consent, and the implications of a digital footprint can
empower parents to make informed choices. Policing may have to allocate resources to inform parents
about the risks associated with sharenting, focusing on digital literacy and child safety. This could, for example, include encouraging parents to discuss any information they plan to share of their children online with children themselves prior to posting on social media. This could be influenced by future research looking
to specifically address harmful sharenting practice, with some research finding that showing parents
a video highlighting the dangers of sharenting results in a “significant proportion” being less willing to
share images of their children.

Sharenting also raises important legal considerations within the Criminal Justice framework. Existing privacy laws in the UK, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, provide a foundation for addressing the issues arising from sharenting, but the application of these laws can be ambiguous, particularly when it comes to parental consent and children’s rights. Therefore, there is a need for policy development to establish clear guidelines for Police Forces and the Criminal Justice system in handling sharenting related cases. Consistency in addressing these issues will help protect children’s rights and welfare.

Police Scotland has previously had an inspection of its response to online child sexual abuse completed
by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland in 2020. Police Scotland reported the closure of all but one
action in December 2024.

However, changes in technology such as the use of AI in online child sexual abuse cases present a
growing challenge in the safeguarding of children. It will be important for policing to work alongside
technology companies to work in collaboration and sharing information and resources. Whilst legislation
such as the Online Safety Act 2023 has been implemented with a focus on protecting children and
young people, it will be important for organisations to continually assess emerging threats that may not
be covered by legislation.

Finally, fostering collaboration between the Police, Social Services, and educational institutions can create a more unified approach to addressing the implications of sharenting. This inter-agency cooperation is crucial for effectively navigating the challenges posed by the digital age.

Through education, policy reform, and inter-agency collaboration, the negative impacts of sharenting
can be mitigated, fostering a safer online environment for future generations