Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online Book Summary

In the enlightening book, “Sharenthood: Why We Should Think Before We Talk about Our Kids Online,” Leah A. Plunkett takes readers on a comprehensive journey through the landscape of sharenting, the common parental practice of oversharing children’s details online. A significant concern brought to light by the author is the possible long-term implications that such digital footprints might have on children’s future opportunities.
The internet is an unforgiving space. Once information is posted online, it stays there forever, a concept known as the permanency of digital footprints. In the era of digital abundance, parents may not fully realize the potential repercussions of such permanency on their children’s futures. Plunkett emphasizes how the seemingly innocent act of sharing a toddler’s tantrum or a teenager’s victory in a school competition may bear unexpected future consequences.
In a world that is increasingly relying on data-driven decision-making processes, Plunkett raises concerns about how the information shared today might influence tomorrow’s opportunities for children. For example, the stored data may impact admissions to educational institutions or job prospects. With machine learning and artificial intelligence advancing at a fast pace, predictive analytics could use a person’s digital trail from childhood to assess their suitability for a particular college course or job position in the future.
The author uses the term “digital dossiers” to describe the comprehensive profiles compiled from the online data shared by parents and other sources. These dossiers could lead to a sort of digital determinism, where children’s future opportunities are swayed by their past digital footprints, limiting their ability to reinvent themselves or escape their pasts.
Plunkett’s exploration of this issue doesn’t stop at highlighting the potential pitfalls; she also offers practical advice on mitigating these risks. Parents are encouraged to take a more mindful approach to sharing online and to make judicious decisions about the type and amount of information disclosed on the internet. It suggests taking steps such as frequent Google checks of one’s child’s name, stringent use of privacy settings, and open discussions with children about their online presence.
The book also advocates for an institutional shift towards respecting and protecting children’s privacy rights. It suggests the need for legal and societal changes, urging tech companies to adopt ethical data practices and legislators to fortify privacy laws.
In conclusion, “Sharenthood” serves as a stark reminder of the potential long-term impact of sharenting on children’s futures. It encourages parents and societies to strive for a future where children’s online privacy is respected, their digital footprints managed responsibly, and their opportunities not compromised by their past digital histories.