Influencer mum explains why she stopped sharing her kids' faces online
Sharing photos of her son online was a joyful experience, but an interaction with a stranger prompted her to stop doing so.
When Erin Richards (@theusualmama) embarked on her journey as a mommy blogger in 2021, her firstborn was just eight months old.
Like many new moms in the social media age, sharing glimpses of her adorable baby felt like a natural extension of her new role.
It seemed essential for establishing her online presence. “How can you be a ‘mommy blogger’ without proof of mom?” she mused in a recent Instagram post.
In those early days, Erin found joy in sharing her son’s face with her growing community.
The intimacy of those moments, captured and shared, was a delightful part of her online experience. Her following was small, the interactions felt safe.
But then, something happened that changed everything. Erin shared a moment that occurred during a routine shopping trip to Target.
A fellow mother, kind and well-meaning, recognised Erin and her son, Gray. She introduced herself and then greeted Gray by name, attempting to give him a hug.
She said this woman had been following their lives online for over two years and felt a deep connection, especially towards Gray.
However, to Gray, this woman was a complete stranger. He was confused and taken aback by the unexpected familiarity.
In that moment, the realisation hit Erin hard.
“They have no idea what social media is. They can’t agree to this. This is not safe for them as minors that can’t consent to this kind of exposure,” she wrote.
This incident was a turning point for Erin. She decided then and there to stop sharing her children’s faces online.
She found a way to continue her mommy blogging without putting her kids in potentially unsafe situations.
Her post had many parents relate to the endless challenges in navigating the digital age, where the lines between sharing and oversharing can often be blurred.
But her decision to stop showing her child doesn’t mean she judges others who do so.
“This post isn’t meant to shame anyone who shares their kid on social media. That is your choice as a parent and this is mine,” she wrote.
Erin’s story highlights a crucial conversation about consent and safety in the digital realm. It challenges us to consider the implications of our online activities on those who cannot yet voice their own choices.
