SHARENTING

Article XV, Section 3(2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: "The

State shall defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and

special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions

prejudicial to their development."

With this constitutional provision, numerous laws were passed to protect the rights of

the child against neglect, cruelty, abuse, and discrimination such as Republic Act No.

7658 Special Protection of Children Against ChildAbuse, Exploitation and

Discrimination Act, Republic Act No. 9231 Anti-Child Labor Law, Republic Act No.

9344 Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, and others.

The growth of children is greatly influenced by society. It must therefore be attentive

and sympathetic, particularly to individuals with special needs. It is important to avoid

prejudice and criticism so the youngster can overcome his challenges.

The State shall Guarantee the fundamental rights of every child from all forms of

neglect, cruelty and other conditions prejudicial to their development;

Child abuse can take four main forms: sexual, emotional, physical, and economic.

Sexual abuse is defined as ‘the abuse of a child or adolescent who has not yet achieved

sexual maturity by an adult who uses force, threats or deception to satisfy their sexual

desires or needs’ ; emotional abuse is defined as “acts that involve behavior or words

that have negative effects on a child” ; physical abuse is defined as the “non-accidental

injury of a child” ; and economic abuse is defined as “making children work for

financial gain” .
It's important to note that these forms of abuse can often occur together, and they can

have serious and long-lasting effects on a child's physical and mental health.

Child abuse can take four main forms: sexual, emotional, physical, and economic.

Sexual abuse is defined as ‘the abuse of a child or adolescent who has not yet achieved

sexual maturity by an adult who uses force, threats or deception to satisfy their sexual

desires or needs’ ; emotional abuse is defined as “acts that involve behavior or words

that have negative effects on a child” ; physical abuse is defined as the “non-accidental

injury of a child” ; and economic abuse is defined as “making children work for

financial gain” . There are also more specific acts of child abuse and neglect that do not

easily fit into these categories, including Munchausen syndrome by proxy and shaken

baby syndrome. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is defined as a parent making up fake

symptoms to make it look like their child is sick, and having the child diagnosed and

treated for these symptoms [6]. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a special and severe

form of abuse [7]. Shaken baby syndrome, on the other hand, is a form of abuse in

which the parent or caregiver shakes the baby or infant by their arms, legs, or body [8],

causing severe brain trauma [9]. Experiences of child maltreatment are all related [10]

and increase the likelihood of maladjustment and psychopathology [11]. Acts of child

abuse can result in permanent physical or mental damage, or even death [12]. Child

neglect and abuse can sometimes be perpetrated by the family [13].

The potential dangers of sharenting syndrome include the theft of children’s

identity information and use of their images on child porn websites [27]. Parents are

concerned about the child’s online privacy [. According to reports by the National
Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, half of the photos shared by child sexual

abusers were first posted on social media by parents [29].

In the pursuit of sharing, parents may infringe on their children’s privacy by

presenting them on social media.

Children who become well known on social media may be vulnerable to neglect

and abuse due to their developmental characteristics.

While sharenting syndrome may not always result in visible harm to the child involved

[36], it can lead to problems in social, emotional, or mental development. From this

perspective, sharenting syndrome can be exposed a form of child abuse and neglect

[36,37].

Emotional neglect, typically characterized by a lack of attention

While traditional forms of child abuse inflict direct harm on the child, sharenting

can damage the child’s image and pose potential risks to their well-being, both in the

present and future.

sharenting can be considered a form of neglect and abuse as it endangers the

child during the recording and leaves the child vulnerable to possible harm that may

arise from the shared content.

"Sharenting" is a term used to describe the overuse or inappropriate use of social

media by parents to share content about their children. This can include photos, videos,

or personal information about their children's lives. While sharing updates about

children can be a way for parents to connect with friends and family, sharenting has

raised concerns about the privacy and safety of children.

 Some of the issues associated with sharenting include:

1. Privacy Concerns: Children have a right to privacy, and sharing personal

information about them online without their consent can violate that right. It can

also expose them to potential privacy risks, such as identity theft or online

predators.

2. Digital Footprint: The information shared about children online can create a

digital footprint that can follow them for years. This can impact their future

opportunities, such as college admissions or job prospects.

3. Impact on Parent-Child Relationship: Children may feel embarrassed, angry, or

violated when their parents share personal information about them online. This

can strain the parent-child relationship.

4. Safety Concerns: Sharing too much information about children online can also

pose safety risks, as it can make them more vulnerable to predators or other

harmful individuals.

5. Oversharing and Comparison: Sharenting can also contribute to a culture of

oversharing and comparison among parents, leading to feelings of inadequacy or

pressure to share more about their own children.

To address these concerns, experts recommend that parents think carefully about

what they share online about their children and consider the potential impact on their

privacy and safety. They should also respect their children's wishes and seek their

consent before sharing any personal information about them online.

In the lively world of social media, Filipino parent influencers have
taken center stage, showcasing their parenting journey for all to see,
often referred to as “sharenting”.

This trend involves parents sharing aspects of their family life on

platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and showing snippets
of their daily lives online.

A few notable figures in this realm include Team Kramer’s Doug and
Chesca, Cong TV and Viy Cortez, Jubi and Xian, and Kryz Uy with
Slater Young.

1. Doug Kramer and Chesca Garcia

Team Kramer, composed of Doug, Chesca, and their three children, is
a pioneer in Filipino family vlogging. Their content extends beyond
mere entertainment, serving as a platform that reflects essential values
such as love, respect, and togetherness.

Through their heartwarming videos, Team Kramer has established

itself not only as a commercial figure but also as a beacon for
promoting positive familial bonds in the digital space.

2. Cong TV and Viy Cortez

Cong and Viy, members of Team Payaman, are some of the most
established content creators in the Philippines. This power couple is
known for their humorous and relatable content.

They started as a couple of vloggers and are now parents to their child,
Kidlat. They started sharing their family journey when they lost their
first baby after Viy suffered from a miscarriage in December 2020.
3. Jubi and Xian
TikTok couple Jervymae Baluyot, aka Jubi or Mamiju, and her partner
Xian Dela Peña, also known as Dadiju are the parents of the cute
TikTok baby called “Baby Ju”.

From sharing Baby Ju’s cuteness overload to documenting precious

family moments to sharing parenting insights, they’ve provided a
transparent look into their lives and a glimpse into the joys and
challenges of parenthood.

4. Kryz Uy and Slater Young

Internet sensation couple Kryz and Slater are the parents of Scott and
Sevi. They bring a touch of glamor to the parenting scene, blending
style with the realities of raising a child.

Kryz and Slater also share powerful and purposeful parenting

conversations through their podcast channel.

These influencers not only entertain but also create a sense of

community, connecting with other parents and sharing tips and
experiences.

While sharenting can provide a sense of community and support for

parents, it raises important questions about the privacy and consent of
the children involved. Social media influencer parents often walk a
fine line between sharing meaningful moments and potentially
exploiting their children for likes and followers.

As influencer parents continue to shape the digital parenting

landscape, the challenges and rewards of sharenting persist, reminding
us of the delicate line between sharing and protecting in the age of
social media.

1) INDIVIDUAL: Short written assignment (20%). Students will be required to submit a

critical review of an article involving new issues on children, such as sharenting, online

sexual exploitation of children, right to be forgotten, discernment of children in conflict with

the law, children in armed conflict, child sensitivity, do no harm principle, best interest of the

child, among others. Review paper should at least be 3 pages, 12 pt font (Book Antiqua),

double spaced. (DUE DATE: March 31, 2024)