These days, it feels almost second nature to capture our children’s every milestone. That wide, toothless smile. The first day of school. That adorable moment during a family picnic. And why not? In a world where our phones are never more than an arm’s length away, sharing moments is just part of how we connect.
But as we share, are we also oversharing?
This is the heart of what we now call the “sharenting” dilemma—a growing concern that’s forcing parents everywhere to pause and ask: Are we protecting our children’s digital identity, or unknowingly exposing them?
At DPS Warangal, a forward-thinking CBSE school that believes in nurturing both students and families, this isn’t just a trending topic—it’s about student wellbeing, online privacy, and conscious digital parenting.
What is sharenting? why it matters now more than ever
Sharenting—a blend of “sharing” and “parenting”—is what most of us do without really thinking about it. We post pictures of our child’s report card, their school play, their everyday mischief and magic. It’s joyful. It’s real. And it helps us feel closer to our families and friends.
But here’s something we forget: Every single post contributes to our child’s digital footprint—a story they haven’t chosen to tell.
And that’s where things get tricky.
In an educational setting like DPS Warangal, where children are learning to navigate both the real and the digital world, it’s important we pause to consider how their online presence is being shaped—not by them, but by us.
Why it’s a dilemma: the double-edged sword of sharenting
As parents, we want to celebrate our children, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But in doing so, we are trading off something precious: their right to privacy, their sense of safety, and even their mental wellbeing.
Here’s why this matters more than we realize:
Digital wellbeing
When children grow up constantly exposed online, it affects their confidence. They start worrying about how they look, how they’re perceived, or why they didn’t get as many “likes” as before. That pressure is real.
Child safety
Posting details like uniforms, routines, or school names—even unintentionally— leave children vulnerable. Cybercriminals and online predators are more observant than we think.
Online privacy
Once you share something online, you lose control over where it ends up. Even well-meaning posts resurface in places or ways we never imagined.
Student wellbeing
Imagine being 12 and discovering a baby photo that your friends now tease you about. Kids want agency. They want dignity. And they deserve to be included in decisions that affect how they appear online.
At DPS Warangal, these aren’t abstract concepts. We see how students respond when they’re respected, and we see the shift when they’re involved in decisions about their digital lives.
How CBSE schools supports responsible digital parenting
No parent wants to get it wrong. And the truth is, we’re all still learning. That’s why schools like DPS Warangal take a hands-on approach to guiding families through this digital terrain.
We regularly host:
- Digital parenting workshops with real stories and relatable advice
- Student-led discussions where kids talk openly about how it feels to be shared online
- Safe-space forums where parents and teachers share challenges and insights
In these spaces, we encourage questions like:
- “Will this photo still feel okay for my child five years from now?”
- “Am I posting this for them—or for me?”
- “Have I asked them how they feel about it?”
These are not easy questions. But asking them is the first step toward better, kinder digital parenting.
Simple ways to keep your child safe while staying connected
We’re not saying don’t post. We’re just saying—pause before you post. And here are a few gentle ways to protect your child’s digital wellbeing while staying emotionally close:
1. Ask first
Even young children have opinions. “Hey, should I post this?” shows respect—and builds trust. Over time, this makes them more confident about their own boundaries.
2. Skip the specifics
Avoid tagging schools, naming friends, or sharing detailed routines. Keep the moment, lose the metadata.
3. Check your settings
A private account goes a long way. Share photos only with people you truly know—and trust.
4. Use secure family-sharing platforms
Not everything needs to be on social media. Apps like FamilyAlbum or shared drives let you share memories safely with just a few close people.
5. Talk about digital safety early
Start the conversation. Help your child understand what it means to post something online—and how to protect their own privacy, too.
At DPS Warangal, our students are introduced to digital literacy early. Whether it’s a discussion about memes or a session on online respect, we help them build habits that stick—and protect.
Why children deserve control over their digital identity
Here’s something we all need to remember: Children are people, not content.
They deserve the right to tell their own story, in their own time, and in their own voice. When we engage in sharenting without their knowledge, we take some of that away.
That’s why at DPS Warangal, we include student wellbeing as part of our broader CBSE school discipline strategies. It’s not about being strict—it’s about being fair. We teach students that consent is powerful. That their voice matters. And that online or off, they have the right to feel safe.
How the CBSE curriculum supports digital citizenship
It’s not just about gadgets anymore. CBSE schools are adapting to the times by weaving cyber ethics, media literacy, and responsible online behavior into their curriculum.
At DPS Warangal, this looks like:
- Students creating their own digital safety charters
- Role plays that simulate real-life online dilemmas
- Collaborative projects on privacy, identity, misinformation, and sharenting.
These aren’t one-off sessions. They’re an integral part of how we help children grow—not just as learners, but as thoughtful, respectful digital citizens.
What DPS Warangal does to support families on this journey
We know parenting isn’t always black and white. Especially in the digital space. That’s why DPS Warangal takes a layered, community-wide approach to digital parenting:
- Teacher training on online ethics and student boundaries
- Counselling support for students dealing with online stress
- Interactive parent sessions during the DPS admission process
- Collaboration with cybersecurity experts and psychologists to keep our approach current and real
A gentle reminder: pause. think. then post.
Your child’s life is unfolding one moment at a time. And yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, it deserves to be remembered.
But maybe—just maybe—it doesn’t need to be posted right now.
Let’s keep asking the hard questions. Let’s honour our children’s privacy like we do their dreams. Because every digital parenting decision we make today (including how we approach sharenting) shapes the kind of world they’ll grow up in tomorrow.
At DPS Warangal, we’re proud to walk this journey with you—raising not just students, but emotionally aware, digitally wise, and ethically grounded young people.
Together, let’s keep our children safe, seen, and respected—online and off.