Abstract:

This paper examines the phenomenon of sharenting—the parental practice of sharing information and images of children on social media—with a focus on the associated risks, ethical complexities, and the legal framework governing the practice in Croatia. The theoretical analysis situates sharenting within the broader context of digital parenting, children’s right to privacy, and the long-term implications of constructing a digital identity from early childhood. Particular attention is given to the relationship between sharenting practices and specific parental styles. Thematic analysis shows that parents most often share content to achieve a sense of social connectedness and to affirm their parental role, while frequently underestimating risks such as the permanence of digital traces, the potential misuse of personal data, and the erosion of the child’s future (digital) autonomy. Methodologically, the study is based on a quantitative research design, using a sample of 1,025 parents of early childhood and preschool-aged children. The findings indicate that parents in Croatia use social media more frequently for passive consumption, while active use—particularly sharenting—was examined in greater detail. A more detailed analysis reveals that parents primarily use social media for entertainment and for seeking advice related to parenting. Parents in Croatia are generally less inclined to share photographs and information about their children on social media; however, those who do engage in sharenting tend to be more inclined toward permissive parenting and restrictive control that includes intrusiveness and punitive measures. Overall, sharenting emerges as a present yet insufficiently examined practice, characterized by a pronounced gap between parental intentions and actual digital behaviour. While the Croatian legal framework provides a basic level of protection, it does not fully address the challenges posed by contemporary digital platforms and the increasing commercialization of child-related content. The paper recommends the development of targeted media literacy programs for parents, the establishment of national guidelines for responsible content sharing, and legislative improvements aimed at more precisely safeguarding children’s digital rights.

Keywords:

Child privacy, digital identity, digital parenting, ethical considerations, Croatian legal framework, parenting style, sharenting.