How ‘sharenting’ could be increasing your cyber risk

From the birth of a new child to photos documenting the first day at school and the arrival of a new pet, our social media feeds are flooded with memorable life moments on a daily basis.

But this trend for sharing key milestones, information and images could be opening the door to an increased cyber risk – and potentially set up the next generation for big issues down the line.

A new study by the University of Southampton has revealed that a whopping 45% of UK parents are regularly sharing personal, sensitive information about their children online.

Most parents underestimate the risks involved with this, often being unaware of exactly what protections their chosen privacy settings may (or may not) offer – and who may have access to their posts.

The practice – coined ‘sharenting’ – may seem harmless enough on the surface but could be playing into the hands of some pretty serious cyber threats, including identity theft, fraud, and online harassment.

While the study focused on families, understanding the risks posed by social media and the dangers of oversharing online is something businesses also need to consider. Not just to help employees stay safe online, as part of broader cyber security awareness initiatives, but to limit any risk posed to the business.

This is increasingly important as the line between our personal and professional lives continues to blur. For example, through the use of phones and other personal devices – a topic we picked up on in our recent blog on phone thefts.

So, could a trend for ‘sharenting’ be opening the door to increased cyber risks for your employees and their family members? And what could the pattern of oversharing on social media mean for your business’?

Importantly, what steps can you taken to help reduce the risk and help educate employees?

 

What is ‘sharenting’?

Sharenting refers to the practice of parents sharing images, videos, and personal details about their children online. According to lead researcher Professor Pamela Ugwudike, this well-intentioned behaviour could be exposing children to long-term harm – both online and offline.

From cyberbullying and identity fraud to deepfake exploitation and stranger contact, the risks are real. Shockingly, one in six parents questioned reported that their child had already experienced at least one form of digital harm as a result.

 

The risk of oversharing online for small businesses

At first glance, sharenting may seem like a personal issue, but for SMBs – especially those with customer-facing teams, digital marketing strategies, or remote workforces – the lessons are clear:

  1. Oversharing isn’t just a personal problem

Employees could be sharing more than just their personal milestones online, including team member details and events, project news, and client wins. Without clear guidelines in place, this could lead to unintentional data exposure, especially when tagging in locations, people, or other sensitive project details.

  1. Privacy settings are not foolproof

The Southampton study highlighted a major misconception around privacy settings and the level of protection they will provide. In reality, there are no guarantees for privacy. For example, features like tagging and resharing can override certain controls on certain platforms, meaning the original content could easily spread far beyond its intended audience.

  1. Digital footprints are permanent

Just as children may struggle with the long-term consequences of sharenting, businesses too must consider the lasting impact of their digital presence. Old posts, outdated policies, or casual comments can resurface, affecting brand trust and compliance.

 

What lessons can businesses learn from the sharenting study?

The University of Southampton’s findings offer a wake-up call – not just for parents, but for any organisation navigating the digital world. Here’s how SMBs can apply these insights:

  1. Create a clear digital sharing policy

Establish guidelines around what can be shared online, who can post on behalf of the company, and how tagging or resharing should be handled. Include examples of acceptable and unacceptable content, and make sure the policy is reviewed regularly.

  1. Educate your team on privacy settings

Don’t assume everyone understands how platforms work. Run short training sessions or share resources that explain how privacy settings can be bypassed – and why discretion matters.

  1. Audit your online presence

Take stock of what’s already out there. Review old posts, tagged content, and third-party mentions. Remove anything that could pose a risk or no longer aligns with your brand values.

  1. Protect client and employee data

Ensure that any personal information – from birthdays to health details – is never shared without explicit consent. This includes internal shout-outs, testimonials, or behind-the-scenes content.

  1. Champion digital responsibility

Use your platform to promote safe sharing practices. Whether you’re in tech, retail, or professional services, showing that you take digital ethics seriously builds trust with customers and partners.

 

In summary

Sharenting may start at home, but its lessons extend far beyond. For SMBs, the challenge is balancing visibility with vigilance.

It is an opportunity to lead by example. By adopting responsible digital practices, you not only protect your business but are contributing to a safer online environment for everyone.

At Dragon Information Systems, we believe cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and passwords, it’s about developing a cyber secure culture, raising awareness, opening lines of communication, and nurturing smart decision-making.

For an informal chat about how we could help your business, please email:  info@dragon-is.com or call us on 0330 363 005.