Baby Sharma
We live in a time where reality is faster and louder than before. Social media has turned life into something that has to be constantly shared and watched. We live more in a digital reality than in physical one. It has become necessary to present a perfect moment online than to live it in real life.
In this fast paced and stimulated version of reality, we are witnessing a generation that is growing online. Their childhood is recorded and displayed to an invisible audience. Their lives are documented even before they were born. From the first month to first steps everything is shared. Creating a digital trail that follows them long before they understand what it means. While these posts often come from love and excitement, they also begin building a digital identity for the child, one that the child did not choose.
As the child grows, so does this online archive. First words, school performances, embarrassing moments, and personal struggles are all documented. Over time, this collection becomes a permanent record of their life.
Unlike previous generations, these children cannot decide what parts of their childhood should stay private. That decision has already been made for them.
One of the most important changes in this new environment is the presence of an invisible audience. Children today are not just growing up with their families, they are growing up in front of followers, friends and strangers online. Every small achievement can be celebrated publicly. Every mistake can be shared widely. What used to be private moments within a family are now often turned into posts, stories or videos.
This creates a strange situation where a child’s development becomes both personal and public at the same time.
Over time, this can blur the line between what is real and what is performed. A child may start to feel like they are always being watched, even when they are not. Their actions may slowly shift, not just based on how they feel, but on how those actions might look to others. They might feel the need to live upto the digital version of themselves or feel frustrated at the lack of privacy.
One of the biggest concerns in this situation is the lack of control children have over their own stories. As adults, we can choose what we share online. We can delete posts, change our privacy settings or decide to stay offline. But children do not have that choice. Their lives are shared online, mostly by their parents, without their consent. By the time they are old enough to understand privacy, a large part of their life may already be available online. This can lead to a feeling of lost control. Imagine growing up and realizing that your childhood, your awkward phases, your vulnerable moments, your mistakes, all are recorded and accessible. It can be difficult to separate your true self from the version that exists online. And once something is on the internet, it is very hard to completely remove it.
There are many reasons why people share their lives on social media. Some do it to stay connected, some to express themselves and others to build a career or audience. The same reasons apply when people share the lives of their children. But in today’s highly competitive and attention driven online world, there is another layer to this behavior.
People are not just looking for real moments, they are looking for moments that feel real but still look perfect. This creates pressure to present life in a certain way, even when it involves children. As a result, some of the most personal and emotional moments of a child’s life become content. A child crying, making a mistake or having a difficult moment can be seen as relatable and something to be shared online. These moments may get more attention, more likes and more engagement. But what does that mean for the child?
In situations where a child needs comfort, understanding or support, the presence of a camera can change everything.
Instead of responding to the moment fully, there is a pause to record it. Instead of focusing only on the child, there is also attention on how the moment will look online. Over time, this can affect the authenticity of interactions. Playtime, for example, may not just be play anymore—it could turn into a staged activity for a video. A simple dinner might become part of a lifestyle vlog. Even celebrations and achievements may feel less personal and more like something to be presented.
This does not mean that all sharing is harmful. But when too much of life is turned into content, it can take away from the experience itself. The child may begin to feel like they are part of a performance rather than simply living their life.
Another effect of growing up online is the pressure to always be seen in a certain way. Children may start to notice what kinds of posts get attention and which ones do not. They may begin to shape their behavior based on what is appreciated online. This can slowly influence their sense of identity. Instead of exploring who they are naturally, they might start to build a version of themselves that fits what others expect or like. This can be confusing, especially at a young age when identity is still developing.
One of the most difficult aspects of this situation is the permanence of digital records. In the past, childhood memories were stored in photo albums or family stories. They were private and could fade with time. Today, those memories are stored online, often permanently.
This means that childhood is no longer something you grow out of, it is something that can follow you into adulthood. Old posts can resurface. Embarrassing videos can be reshared. Moments that were meant to be temporary can become lasting.
It is important to understand that sharing moments of life is not inherently wrong. Social media can be a beautiful way to connect, celebrate and remember. But when it comes to children, there needs to be a balance. Parents and caregivers have the responsibility to protect not only the physical well-being of their children but also their digital presence. This means thinking carefully about what is shared, why it is shared and how it might affect the child in the future and present. Simple questions can help guide this process like, Is this moment meant to be private? Am I sharing this for connection or for attention?
Childhood is meant to be a time of growth, exploration and learning. It is a time to make mistakes, to feel emotions deeply and to develop without constant observation. When too much of it is recorded and shared, that natural process is disrupted. And that needs to be changed.
We are living in a world where the line between real life and digital life is becoming increasingly blurred. Every moment is seen with the lens of camera and the value comes from it being social media worthy. For children growing up today, this line barely exists, which is concerning.
As we continue to move forward in this digital age, it is important to pause and think. Not every moment needs to be shared. Not every memory needs to be public. Sometimes, the most valuable parts of childhood are the ones that remain unseen, lived fully, felt deeply, and kept safe within the moment. Because in the end, a child is not content and childhood is not a performance.
(The author is MA, Mass Communication and New Media Central University Jammu)
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