Parents who frequently post images of their children on social media tend to adopt more lenient and self-assured parenting styles, fostering friend-like dynamics with their kids, according to a new study.
A collaborative study conducted by researchers at the University of Central Florida and Indiana University Bloomington indicates that the way parents engage with social media—particularly when sharing photos on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram—can significantly influence their children’s relationships with technology.
The teams surveyed 493 social media-active parents with children under 10. Findings showed that those who posted their children’s pictures leaned towards permissive and confident parenting styles. Many of these parents also utilized public accounts, reaching a wider audience beyond just family and close friends.
Interestingly, parents sharing photos of their children on public platforms often treated these posts as similar to sharing memes or personal updates, frequently without consulting their children about the online exposure. While some may view this as harmless, it raises important questions about children’s autonomy and the implications for their privacy, especially concerning their body autonomy.
Mary Jean Amon, an assistant professor in the School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training at UCF and a co-author of the study, stated, “A central question remains as to how much autonomy and control children, including children of different ages, should have over their photos and information online.”
The study provides a fresh perspective, contrasting with previous research that emphasized the benefits of parental sharing. It uncovers that sharing children’s images is correlated with a more casual, friend-like relationship, often resulting in less guidance compared to other parenting styles. Notably, permissive parenting has been associated with problematic internet usage among children.
This research adds to the ongoing dialogue about children’s privacy in today’s digital age. Recently, some states have proposed legislation allowing individuals to sue major tech companies like Facebook and TikTok for employing addictive tactics to keep young users engaged online.
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In summary, a recent study reveals that parents who share their children’s photos on social media often adopt more permissive parenting styles, leading to a friend-like relationship with their children. This raises important questions about children’s autonomy and privacy in an increasingly digital world.