In today’s digital age, whether you consider social media a boon or a bane, it’s undeniably a part of parenting in 2022. A new collaborative study from the University of Central Florida and Indiana University Bloomington indicates that the way parents engage with social media—specifically their tendency to post photos of their children on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram—significantly influences their child’s relationship with technology.
The research involved a survey of 493 parents who regularly use social media and have children under 10. Findings revealed that parents who share images of their kids are more likely to adopt permissive and confident parenting styles, often posting on public accounts that reach beyond close circles of family and friends.
Interestingly, many of these parents do not differentiate between sharing their children’s photos and other types of posts, such as memes or personal updates. They often do not consult their children before posting, which raises questions about children’s autonomy and privacy. “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,” said Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a researcher from UCF.
The study’s results challenge previous notions that parental sharing leads strictly to positive outcomes. “Contrary to earlier research emphasizing the advantages of sharing, our findings indicate that posting children’s photos correlates with a permissive parenting style. This suggests that such parents may have more casual, friend-like relationships with their children and provide less guidance compared to other parents,” Dr. Jenkins noted. This permissive style has also been linked to problematic internet usage in children.
This research contributes to an ongoing discussion about children’s privacy in the digital era. Recently, some states have proposed legislation enabling individuals to sue major tech companies like Facebook and TikTok for employing addictive strategies, such as push notifications, to keep young users engaged.
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In summary, the study reveals a notable relationship between parents’ social media habits and their parenting styles, indicating that those who share their children’s photos online tend to lean toward a more permissive approach. The implications of this on children’s online privacy and autonomy are critical discussions for today’s digitally-savvy families.
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