Add this to the list of items to nix now that you're pregnant: Over sharing on social media. Not only do your online pals not want to hear about another row with morning sickness – but by laying off Facebook posts, you may be doing best for baby too.
As if we really needed a study to confirm it, researchers at the University of Michigan surveyed the nation to talk about over sharing parents on social media. The results are hardly surprising: Parents talk way too much about their kids online, share too many photos of their children and post embarrassing or inappropriate anecdotes or stories.
"By the time children are old enough to use social media themselves, many already have a digital identity created for them by their parents," Sarah J. Clark, associate director of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, told Phys.org.
Commiserating about the trials and tribulations of new parenthood is all fine and good, but where should you draw the line? We say at keeping your little ones safe and protected. By posting photos of your baby online, you're opening the door to a host of problems. You may be disclosing your little one's location, open him or her up to digital kidnapping (where people steal your image and claim it as their own) – or set your child up for embarrassment when they're grown.
So, what to do? Proceed with caution. We know you're proud of that sweet bundle of joy and you're eager to show off your son or daughter to the world. So, here are a few safety measures to keep in mind:
Keep it private
While privacy settings aren't iron-clad, they're definitely a step in the right direction. Check your settings on Facebook and ensure that only those in your friend network can see the images you share. On Instagram, set your account to private to make certain only those you approve can see what you post.
Play it safe
When posting to social media, don't share your location as part of your status update. If you must disclose where you've been all day, wait until you and your little one are already on the move. There's no reason the Internet needs to know exactly where you're located at any given time.
Scale back
Stylists advise removing one fashion accessory before walking out the door. The same holds true for social media. Remove one image of your child from Facebook or Instagram – or try switching the privacy settings so only you can view it. By scaling back, you're not only avoiding majorly annoying your friends, but you're also ensuring baby's privacy too.
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