If you're guilty of 'sharenting' you're certainly not alone. While you may love posting every photo of your child, it could also pose a threat to their safety. " The humble bragging about our kids on social media is the easiest way to keep friends and family from all over the globe connected. But with safety concerns growing almost 80% of parents of minors say they have stopped sharing details about their child online because of safety concerns. With that said, 62% do not want their child's personal information or pictures of their kids online. "What we often overlook is that the status updates, images, and videos we put out there, even if only meant for friends and family—have a permanent digital presence." Parents must therefore ask themselves questions before they post. "...who will see what you share, what the goal of posting is, and whether you're comfortable with someone you don't know seeing the post. If any of these questions make you feel uneasy, it's best to not share." So, what mistakes are parents making when it comes to their kids and social media sharing? You’re Not Discussing Social Media Safety in Your Home Growing up in the digital age, our kids are more connected than ever. Parents must understand that even though this generation of kids probably knows their way around a tablet and understands the ins and outs of an iPhone better than we do, it's easy to forget that they still have a lot to learn when identifying the risks of social media. Don't mistake their savviness for the ability to make good decisions online. "Opening a dialogue regarding privacy, security, identity, reputation, and what's appropriate and acceptable for their family on these platforms is highly recommended," Tracking your child's social media activity allows parents to come up with a set of house rules that set clear boundaries and expectations. You're Posting Photos That Reveal Personal Information By posting photos of your children online, you could unknowingly be revealing a treasure trove of personal information, such as birthdates and locations, that online predators can use maliciously. A photo from the first or last day of school seems innocent enough—but if your child is in a uniform or holding a sign, it could give away the school they attend. Oversharing personal information online makes families vulnerable to a variety of harms. Online predators can gather information about a child, monitor the families' activities, and potentially use the images in ways they were not intended to. You're Posting Photos of Other Kids Without Permission It's incredibly important to be mindful of showing other kids in your posts, from school events, sports, or family reunions for example. Murphy says parents should always ask permission before posting another child on their social media accounts. If you're unsure in any way—better be safe than sorry and don't post, or crop the other child out of the photo. You're Not Adjusting Privacy Settings It's of the utmost importance for parents to adjust the privacy settings of the social media platforms they use. Access should be limited to trusted individuals. Make sure to take the time to look into the privacy features of the platform you want to share content on, as there are always new features being rolled out. "On Instagram, for example, not only can you make your profile private, but also you can select which followers can see or comment on your story and posts," Always make sure the content you post doesn't include information you wouldn't want a stranger to know." Hackers can leverage information to apply for credit services, or even steal your child's identity. You're Posting Embarrassing Content Parents must make it common practice that all the content you're sharing about your life—especially posts that involve your kids— is positive. "Stay clear of negative posts—whether it be something your child might find embarrassing, or information or aspects of their life that would be deemed private," "Posting embarrassing or overly private aspects of your child's life on social media can negatively impact your relationship with them at home, potentially compromising their current or future trust in you as a parent. It can also put them in harm's way by opening a door to bullying from peers that see the content." The Bottom Line The bottom line—think before you post. There's nothing wrong with sharing your child's milestones with family and friends online, but make sure you are considering all of these factors first. Consider your child's safety, their digital footprint, and the wishes of other parents before posting.