Argument #1- Some children are okay with their
parents use of social media
"When adolescents disclose more personal information online, they
will be less concerned about
others (e.g., parents) sharing information about them online. Hence,
adolescents who share more information about themselves online are
likely to have more positive attitudes toward sharenting." (Hardies, Heirman, Verswijvel, &
Walrave, 2019)
Since many adolescents already post about themselves online,
they do not care if they're parents post about them. They are
already comfortable with social media.
The study confirmed that, "parents mainly share information about
their children due to informative-archiving motives." (Hardies, Heirman, Verswijvel, &
Walrave, 2019) Information-archiving motives are adolescent
beliefs that, ". . . parents want to share information about their
adolescent children on SNSs because they are
proud of them, want to inform friends about family activities, and
want to collect memories." (Hardies, Heirman, Verswijvel, &
Walrave, 2019)
Adolescents seem to have an understanding attitude toward
sharenting. They understand that parents use social media to
give updates and show off their family.
Argument #2- Parents use social media to connect with
others, regarding their children
"Posting about their experiences and sharing personal information
about themselves and their children served as a coping strategy,
primarily related to seeking affirmation/social support or relief
from parenting stress/ anxiety/ depression." (Fox & Hoy, 2019)
Many mothers go to social media to seek comfort. They find
comfort in seeing others with their same struggles.
"Participants’ behavior was motivated by the desire to be a “good
mother,” but this desire was coupled with the uncertainty of
exactly how to do so and whether they were doing it well." (Fox & Hoy, 2019)
Many mothers are unsure of how to parent, and are desperate
for advice. Social media platforms are a way for mothers to
learn from each other.
Sources
Hardies,
K., Heirman, W., Verswijvel, K., & Walrave, M. (2019).
Sharenting, is it a
good or a bad thing? Understanding how adolescents think and
feel about
sharenting on social network sites. Children and Youth
Services Review. Antrwerp,
Belgium: Elsevier BV
Fox,
A. K., & Hoy, M. G. (2019). Smart devices, smart decisions?
Implications of
parents’ sharenting for children’s online privacy: An
investigation of mothers. Journal
of Public Policy & Marketing, 38(4),
414–432. https://doi-org.libproxy.adelphi.edu/10.1177/0743915619858290