Posting photos of your kids feels harmless—but what if there’s more at stake than we realize? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about “sharenting,” why we do it, and how to know if we’ve gone too far.

Why This Matters
How dads share their kids’ lives online shapes their children’s privacy, identity, and future relationship with social media.

What is Sharenting?
Sharenting is defined as the habitually, usually excessively, sharing content about your kids online, most commonly on social media.

Why is Sharenting Risky?
• “Sharenting” is common—most parents do it—but few stop to consider their true motivation.
• Sharing can build connection and preserve memories, but it can also risk privacy, safety, and future embarrassment.
• Kids are watching how we post, and our habits will shape how they use social media someday.

Practical Tips for Dads Posting Kids on Social Media

1. 1. Pause before posting and ask: “Why am I sharing this—and who is it really for?”
2. 2. Protect your child’s privacy by limiting identifiable details like location, school, or routines.
3. 3. Involve your kids in conversations about what should and shouldn’t be shared online.
   
   

Important Episode Timestamps

[00:00] What Is Sharenting and Are You Doing It Without Realizing It? 
Ted introduces the episode’s central question and frames a conversation about the growing habit of sharing kids’ photos and stories online — and whether dads are pausing long enough to think it through.

[00:48] How Much Do Dads Actually Share About Their Kids Online? 
Ted, BJ, and Bobby compare notes on their own posting habits and reflect on how and why their approach to sharing photos of their kids has changed over the years.

[06:21] What Is Sharenting? The Origin of the Term and Why It Matters 
BJ traces the term “sharenting” back to a 2012 Wall Street Journal article and unpacks why it became a widely discussed topic as social media made public oversharing the norm.

[09:11] Why Parents Share Their Kids Online — and When the Reasons Are Good 
Ted makes the case that most parents start sharenting for genuinely good reasons — preserving memories, staying connected with family, and celebrating milestones — and that’s worth acknowledging before applying any judgment.

[11:23] The 5 Reasons Parents Overshare About Their Kids on Social Media 
Bobby breaks down the research-backed drivers behind sharenting, from social media culture and family connection to pandemic habits that carried over long after lockdowns ended.

[13:06] The Privacy Problem: What Happens When Everything About Your Kid Is Public? 
The guys wrestle with the reality that today’s parents are the first generation raising kids whose entire childhoods are being recorded digitally — and why that’s uncharted territory with unknown long-term consequences.

[15:47] Why is Sharenting Risky? The Risks of Posting Your Kids Online 
Ted, BJ, and Bobby discuss the serious safety concerns around sharenting — from location data hidden in photos to strangers interacting with your kids’ images in ways you never intended.

[19:58] Are Your Kids Your Content? Questions Every Dad Should Ask Before Posting 
Ted introduces three key questions dads should ask before sharing anything about their kids online, including the most convicting one — who actually gains from me posting this?

[25:35] How to Share More Safely: Practical Tips for Protecting Your Kids Online 
The guys walk through concrete steps dads can take right now — from tightening privacy settings and reviewing friend lists to turning off photo geolocation — to protect their kids without giving up sharing altogether.

[30:58] This Week’s Pro Move:
Have a conversation with your kids about sharing information online—then decide together who you want your family to be online.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.