Children on social media: Attention-seeking parents a red-flag

SHAH ALAM – For parents, there is no greater star than their child.

From those wobbly first steps to laughter-filled family vacations, every milestone is meticulously documented and uploaded for a digital audience of friends, family and sometimes, the entire internet.

However, beneath the avalanche of likes and comments lies a complex relationship between a parent's desire to share and a child's right to privacy.

Experts said if social media was used as a means to get attention or to be famous for children, then it would be a giant red flag as it potentially leads to unhealthy behaviours driven by a need for validation or recognition.

Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology president Joel Low said understanding the underlying motives behind our internet usage was crucial, especially when it comes to how we involve our children in these dynamics.

“I think moderation is always key and being aware of your ‘why’. That’s quite easily translated to your kids, and in some cases, perhaps even using your kids to get that attention.

“Social media can be a great way to document the progress of our kids and many people use it that way, but keeping those posts private would be a good way to find that compromise, middle ground,” he told Sinar Daily.

Low stressed the importance of parents avoiding making key decisions on behalf of their children.

While parents play a vital role in making significant decisions, he suggested delineating between immediate needs and future considerations.

Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) associate professor Dr Hijaz Ridzwan said there were warning signs for parents to be mindful of regarding their social media behaviour concerning their children.

Hijaz, who is also a psychiatrist, said these include oversharing personal details, posting potentially embarrassing content, and prioritising online attention over their child's privacy.

“For instance, establish guidelines for what content is appropriate to share and respect their child's privacy preferences.

“Obtaining consent, in which always seek permission from their child before posting about them online, especially as they grow older and can understand the implications,” he said.

To strike a balance between sharing family moments on social media while safeguarding their children's privacy and autonomy, Dr Hijaz recommended that parents implement various strategies.

He also added those include limiting exposure, in which being mindful of the amount and type of information shared about their child and avoiding revealing details that could compromise their safety or privacy.

He further suggested strategies such as limiting exposure and advising parents to carefully consider the quantity and nature of information shared about their child.

Adnan added it was essential to avoid disclosing details that could jeopardise their safety or privacy.