Sharenthood: A Qualitative Study of Children's Online Privacy Parental Disclosure Behavior

Wang, Ping; Su, Hang

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/133000 Copy

Description

Title

Sharenthood: A Qualitative Study of Children's Online Privacy Parental Disclosure Behavior

Author(s)

• Wang, Ping
• Su, Hang

Issue Date

2026-03-12

Keyword(s)

• Children's online privacy
• Online platforms
• Parental disclosure behavior
• Sharenting

Abstract

Introduction. Online sharenting refers to the behavior of parents disclosing children's privacy online. Although related research has explored the motivation, impact, and content of sharenting, they have not explained this behavior overall. This qualitative study aims to investigate this behavior and influencing factors, which can help to understand the relationship between parental sharenting and children's online privacy protection. Method. This study used a qualitative research method via semi-structured interviews to investigate 19 parents in China with sharenting experience. Analysis. This study used grounded theory to analyze interview materials, aiming to understand the process of parental sharenting. Results. Parental sharenting includes three dimensions: disclosure triggers, disclosure spaces, and disclosure content. It is influenced by disclosure needs, disclosure conditions, parental cognition, and platform technology. Among these, online platforms are the dominant force driving the risk to children ’s online privacy. These platforms achieve digital control for children's online privacy while simultaneously affecting parents' disclosure behaviors. Conclusion(s). This study explains this behavior and the influencing factors of parental sharenting. It provides research evidence for achieving a dynamic balance between parental sharenting and children's privacy protection. These results are essential for developing targeted strategies to protect children's privacy for governments, online platforms, and parents.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2026 Proceedings

Type of Resource

Other

Genre of Resource

Conference Poster

Language

eng

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/133000

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2026 is held by Ping Wang and Hang Su. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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