A toddler with birthday cake smeared across his face grins at his mother. Minutes later, the image appears on Facebook.
A not uncommon scenario - 42 per cent of UK parents share photos of their children online with half of these parents sharing photos at least once a month.
Welcome to the world of 'sharenting' - where more than 80 per cent of children are said to have an online presence by the age of 2, and where the average parent shares almost 1500 images of their child online before their 5th birthday.
But while a recent report from Ofcom confirms many parents do share images of their children online, the report also indicates more than half (56 per cent) of parents don't.
Most of these non-sharenting parents (87 per cent) choose not to do so to protect their children's private lives.
Parents often have good reasons for sharenting. It allows them to find and share parenting advice, to obtain emotional and practical support, and to maintain contact with relatives and friends.
Increasingly though, concerns are being raised about 'oversharenting' - when parents share too much, or share inappropriate information.
The 'growing up with the internet' report reveals some parents share information they know will embarrass their children - and some never consider their children's interests before they post.
Police in France and Germany have taken concrete steps to address sharenting concerns.
They have posted Facebook warnings, telling parents of the dangers of sharenting, and stressing the importance of protecting children's private lives.
Back in the UK, some academics have suggested the Government should educate parents to ensure they understand the importance of protecting their child's digital identity. But should the 'nanny state' be telling parents how and when they can share their children's information?
Others are discussing data protection laws to give children the right when older to have images removed from social media.
It's clearly a tricky area.
What do you think?
Should there be laws cretaed to protect children from 'sharenting' parents?
Over the top? Ridiculous? Overdue? Essential?
Vote now!
Read the article in full here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11925039
It is proposed that laws should be introduced to protect children from 'sharenting' parents