Brooklyn Beckham and Prince Harry are the canaries in the coalmine. The children of Instagram will be next
A generation of overexposed children are being used by their parents for social media clout. What happens when they start to speak out?
TL;DR
- Parents are increasingly documenting and monetizing their children's lives on social media from birth.
- This practice violates children's privacy and can lead to psychological damage, as seen in some celebrity children.
- The article frames 'sharenting' as a social experiment with children as guinea pigs.
- Authenticity is often cited by parents, but the constant performance for the camera can suppress a child's natural feelings.
- The author argues that basic childhood needs (food, love, safety) are more important than 'brand partnerships' or fame.
- Even when children's tears and tantrums are shared, it's seen as a way to amplify vulnerability and engagement.
- The article suggests that influencers and consumers of this content may face a reckoning when children inevitably speak out.
- The author encourages readers to examine their own engagement with 'sharenting' content and consider unfollowing or private accounts.