Sharenting or Parenting? Exploring Digital Footprints and Children's Online Safety

Asociatia ZIFT Educatie si Sport proudly took part in the Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project “Sharenting or Parenting?”, which was held in Budapest, Hungary, from 9 to 15 December 2024 and hosted by Kicsi Szívek Egyesülete. The project brought together youth workers from Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Türkiye, and Romania to explore the impact of parents sharing content about their children on social media and to examine this issue through the lens of children's rights and digital safety.

Throughout the seminar sessions, participants examined the concept of the digital footprint and discussed how online content related to children can remain permanently accessible in the digital environment. The sessions highlighted the possible effects of social media sharing on children's privacy, safety, and future opportunities, while also emphasizing how quickly content can spread beyond its intended audience. These discussions underlined the importance of responsible and conscious digital behavior in everyday life.

The workshops focused on online child abuse and the less visible risks connected to social media use. Through case studies and group discussions, participants analyzed how content that may seem harmless at first glance can, in some situations, lead to privacy violations, misuse of children's images, or even commercial exploitation. These sessions helped youth workers better understand the need to protect children’s rights in online spaces and to promote safer digital practices within their communities.

During the practical part of the project, participants worked in international teams to analyze examples of excessive social media sharing and identify possible risks related to children's rights and privacy. Based on their findings, they created public awareness campaigns and produced short videos aimed at encouraging responsible online behavior. This hands-on process strengthened their critical thinking, creativity, and ability to use digital tools for positive social impact.

The project also included intercultural exchange activities and regular evaluation sessions, giving participants the opportunity to learn from one another’s cultures while reflecting on their shared responsibility to protect children’s digital rights. By the end of the mobility, the youth workers had gained valuable knowledge, practical experience, and greater awareness of digital parenting, online safety, and children's rights, which they can now bring back to their local communities through their work with young people and families.