How Should I Show My Newborn on Social Media? Privacy, Sharenting, and Newborn Photos

In today’s digital age, sharing photos and milestones on social media has become second nature for many new parents. However, when it comes to posting pictures of their newborns, some parents are increasingly cautious about revealing too much, especially their baby’s face. This growing trend reflects a broader shift in privacy, boundaries, and how we engage with social media—particularly for Generation Z parents who have grown up in an online environment.

Take, for example, the baby girl born to the King’s niece Beatrice and her husband on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025, at 12:57 pm, weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces. Despite the excitement surrounding her birth, her parents have yet to share a photograph revealing her face to the public. This is just one example of the growing reluctance to publicly share newborns’ faces, a trend that has been gaining traction globally, especially among high-profile families.

In the UK, we are witnessing an increasing number of public figures and everyday parents adopting more private approaches to their children’s images online. For instance, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who previously shared clear photos of their children, Archie and Lilibet, have shifted to using more obscured shots (such as showing them from behind), Princess Eugenie, Beatrice’s sister, does not appear to be on the same page. She has publicly posted photos of her sons, Ernest and August, shortly after their births, clearly revealing their faces.

So why is this shift taking place? The key question for many new parents is: how should I show my newborn on social media?

The Changing Landscape of Privacy and Social Media

In the past decade, social media has transformed from a platform for personal connection to an essential part of family life, celebrations, and even work. However, as the online world becomes increasingly public and interconnected, many parents are starting to question what they should share and how much of their baby’s life should be made public.

Experts agree that the decision to post photos of your newborn is highly personal and should be approached thoughtfully. For some parents, the excitement of sharing their bundle of joy with family and friends is irresistible, and social media seems like the perfect platform. However, others are more cautious and increasingly concerned about the digital footprint their children are left with and the potential consequences of sharing such intimate moments on the internet.

Why Are More Parents Keeping Their Babies’ Faces Private?

There are several reasons why many parents today are opting to shield their newborn’s face or delay posting photos altogether. Here are the primary reasons:

1. Privacy Concerns and Future Implications

The internet has a long memory. Once something is posted online, it can circulate far beyond your circle of friends and family. Parents are becoming more aware of the potential risks of sharing images of their children—whether it’s the misuse of images, the possibility of online predators, or even the potential embarrassment their children may feel when they grow older and discover that their baby pictures were shared online without their consent.

With privacy concerns front and centre, many parents are choosing to share photos that don’t expose their babies’ faces. This trend involves showing other parts of the baby’s body, such as hands, feet, or their backs, still offering a snapshot of life but without revealing the child’s identity.

2. Legal and Ethical Considerations: The Rise of ‘Sharenting’ Laws

In Europe, and in particular the UK, there has been growing concern over the ethics and potential risks of sharing children’s photos online, commonly referred to as sharenting. Sharenting refers to the practice of parents sharing images and details of their children’s lives on social media. As the popularity of sharenting has exploded, lawmakers are increasingly turning their attention to the issue, especially concerning the long-term digital footprint of children and the risks to their privacy.

In Europe, particularly under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are growing concerns about consent and privacy. The GDPR specifically includes provisions on children’s data, and parents who share photos online may unwittingly be exposing their children’s personal information to third parties. Sharenting laws are still in their early stages but could potentially evolve to regulate how much personal data parents can share about their children without their consent.

In France, a pioneering case in 2019 led to the courts ruling that photos of children posted by parents on social media were violating the child’s right to privacy. In this case, the court ruled that a mother’s Facebook posts revealing her child’s image without his consent amounted to an infringement of his privacy. This marked a shift towards a growing legal recognition of children’s rights over their images, and such rulings may shape future legislation across the European Union. Some experts argue that parents should seek their children’s consent before posting their images on social media—even when they are too young to make such decisions themselves.

Though such cases remain rare, they highlight the increasing pressure on parents to consider the long-term implications of sharenting. The growing focus on children’s rights to privacy and data protection in Europe suggests that parents who share pictures of their children on social media may soon face more scrutiny and potentially legal ramifications.

3. Setting Boundaries and Control Over Content

In today’s online environment, many parents are realising that the digital world operates differently from real life. What starts as a personal post to share with friends and family can quickly become viral and difficult to control. Parents are seeking greater control over how their children’s images are used and who sees them. By not sharing their baby’s face, they can still celebrate their child’s arrival while maintaining control over their child’s image.

4. Digital Consent and Ethical Parenting

A growing movement is pushing the idea of digital consent—the notion that individuals, including children, should have the right to approve how their image is shared and used online. As parents, it’s important to consider whether it’s ethical to post photos of your newborn without their consent, particularly as they won’t be able to make that decision themselves until they are older.

As social media platforms evolve, children’s ability to manage their digital footprint should be taken into account. Ethical parenting in the digital age may require waiting until a child can decide whether they want their photos to be shared online, especially as they become more conscious of their online presence.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Sharing Your Newborn on Social Media?

When it comes to sharing your newborn’s photos on social media, it’s important to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages carefully. Here’s a breakdown of some of the pros and cons:

Pros of Sharing Newborn Photos Online:

• Celebrating with loved ones: For many, sharing a newborn’s photo is a way to involve family and friends in this joyful life milestone, especially when some loved ones may live far away.
• Creating memories: Social media offers an easy way to document the early moments of your baby’s life, allowing you to quickly share those special moments with your network.
• Connecting with a community: Parents may find sharing pictures helps them feel more connected to others and provides a sense of support and camaraderie.

Cons of Sharing Newborn Photos Online:

• Privacy risks: Once a photo is posted online, it is difficult to control where it goes. This could lead to the image being shared without your permission or being accessed by third parties.
• The pressure to curate: Parents may feel pressure to present an idealised version of their lives, leading to a lack of authenticity or mental well-being concerns.
• Digital consent: The lack of a child’s ability to consent to having their photo shared is an important ethical issue. Parents are increasingly realising that they should seek permission from their children when they are older.

What Can Parents Do to Strike a Balance?

If you decide to share your newborn’s photos on social media but still want to maintain some level of privacy, there are ways to strike a balance:

• Obscure the face: Creative shots such as showing only your baby’s hands, feet, or back can be a good compromise. These types of images allow you to share moments without fully revealing your child’s identity.
• Set privacy settings: Use the privacy settings available on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to control who can view your posts. Limiting access to a select group helps preserve your child’s privacy.
• Wait until they can consent: Consider waiting until your child is old enough to provide their input on whether they are comfortable with their images being posted online. Respect for your child’s autonomy is increasingly recognised as essential in the digital age.

Should You Share Your Newborn on Social Media?

Ultimately, whether or not to share your newborn on social media is a deeply personal decision. While there are no universal right or wrong answers, it’s important to carefully consider the potential risks to your child’s privacy, digital footprint, and the ethical implications of sharenting. As Europe continues to tighten regulations around children’s data and privacy, parents should stay informed and make decisions that feel right for them and their families.

Remember, throughout this journey, it’s essential to focus on your antenatal and postpartum care, attending your antenatal appointments and considering antenatal support that ensures both your mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re attending antenatal yoga classes, keeping up with antenatal fitness, or learning more about pregnancy care, taking care of yourself is just as important as the decisions you make about sharing your baby’s journey.