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This article was originally published for ABC here
“Flashback to when I was a banana. How cute is my mummy and daddy?”
This looks like the kind of caption you might see for a post on Instagram, except it was “written” by Georgii before he was born.
Georgii is one of a growing number of babies and young children who have their own social media accounts.
These accounts are usually set up and run by their parents, and while some are concerned about sharing kids’ photos online without their consent, the fact is many of us share our lives online. So why wouldn’t we include the biggest part — our children?
“Young parents of today have grown up a bit with social media … we are very aware of our own digital identity,” says Joanne Orlando, social researcher and commentator on children’s digital lives from Western Sydney University.
“People are [starting accounts for their children] for different reasons. Some parents are setting up private accounts, while a lot are setting up pages that are public.”
We spoke to Dr Orlando as well as two parents who have created online accounts for their children to discuss what we should think about when shaping a child’s online identity.
‘A portable photo album’
Seven-week-old Georgii was building a social media profile before he was even born.
While pregnant, his mum Sapphiroula Pelecas opened an Instagram account on his behalf after playfully searching to see if one by that name already existed.
“Then we were mucking around on it, pretending like Georgii was already here. It was just a bit of fun for us,” says the Brisbane-based influencer and fashion designer.
Before Georgii was born, Sapphiroula would post pictures of herself with husband Nick Condoleon by her side.
“Selfies with Mum and Dad — one more month to go world!” reads one caption.
The parents both have access to Georgii’s public account, which has more than 2,000 followers.
“I like Instagram for recording memories. It’s like a photo album you always have with you.
“The family are obsessed — they tell us they hang out for posts. It’s a way of them seeing Georgii.
“He is the first grandchild too, so our parents love it. When they go out they can show their friends his page.”
Sharing with family and close friends who live far away
Jo Joyce is a deputy editor with ABC Life. She and her husband Rob created an Instagram account for her son, aged three. When his younger brother came along it became a combined space to share their photos.
It’s a private account with 25 followers who Jo says are made up of close friends and immediate family.
“At some point we realised that our family wanted to see pictures of him [their firstborn],” explains Jo — especially for family who lived interstate.
“We wanted to share pictures but also keep them somewhere as a digital record for us that was a select number of images we could both contribute to.”
Keeping your own identity
“I didn’t want to just become a mum. I am that and it’s awesome, but I am also the same old me I always was — with a whole bunch of other stuff I like to do, talk about and share on social media,” she says.
Sapphiroula says Georgii’s page also allows her to maintain an identity outside being a mum.
“I’ve had my own page for so long and [I use it] like a job,” she says.
Commercial interests
Creating social media accounts for children can also be for monetary reasons, explains Dr Orlando.
“A lot of parents are getting [their child] out there and their identity known, often with a commercial purpose in mind that they might become an influencer in some way.”
She says whether the account is designed to make “a business out of your baby” or you’re “just a super proud mum or dad who just wants to show how gorgeous your baby is”, there can be downsides.
Considering your child’s safety and wellbeing
Because Jo didn’t want images of her children to be public online, posting photos of her kids to her own public Instagram account wasn’t an option.
“The main thing was their safety and photos being used by the wrong people.”
It’s something Dr Orlando would encourage parents to think about when sharing images of their child.
“Be careful of the kinds of photo you put up. You need to think of all the people who can look at those photos and the strangers with unsafe intentions,” she says.
“You want to protect them, and that’s in what they are wearing, what they are doing.”
Sapphiroula is mindful of this, saying “obviously we don’t share anything that is nude or rude”.
Questions to ask yourself before creating an account for your child
· How much of your child’s life do you want to put on social media?
· How much of their day will be put into getting photos and videos up online?
· Will it cut into their playtime?
· Will building this account dominate your time with your child?
· Have you read Instagram’s tips for parents?
Source: Dr Joanne Orlando
Dr Orlando says limiting the number of photos will help reduce the level of distribution that can occur.
She says even if the account is private, you can’t rely on other people following the account not to screenshot the images and distribute them.
Less photos also means it will also help reduce the time you spend on creating the account with your child.
“A lot of work goes into great Instagram shots — we’ve all done it, it’s a lot of work to get it right,” Dr Orlando says.
“A chunk of your day is going to be about getting the perfect shot. It becomes about how the child looks, getting the right angle, going to a good place for a backdrop. You have to be careful Instagram isn’t becoming their play time and free time.”
She also warns too much emphasis on appearance can be harmful for a child.
“Make sure they have lots of time to be daggy and get dirty as opposed to being photo-ready all the time.”
