Like numerous families during the summer season, we have dedicated a significant amount of time in and around pools, beaches, essentially anywhere conducive to swimming activities.
Both of my children thoroughly enjoy being in the water, so we have accumulated numerous hours frolicking – at times clad in their swimsuits and occasionally in their birthday suits.
I didn’t perceive this as an issue. In fact, I considered it a genuine indicator of a delightful summer when the kids were willing to shed their clothes for the sake of another refreshing swim.
READ MORE: Kate Ritchie’s controversial strategy to halt a toddler tantrum
This also resulted in capturing some incredibly endearing photos, which I have mentally stored away to reminisce upon when they reach the age of 18.
Hence, I was taken aback by the response when my niece posted one of these charming photos on her Instagram profile.
Being the responsible teenager she is, she sought my approval beforehand. Being aware that she had obscured any intimate areas and maintained a private account, I saw no harm in her sharing a sweet snapshot with her infant cousin with her limited number of followers.
To my surprise, the reaction was quite different.
READ MORE: The lesser-known warranty for back-to-school items that this mother wants you to be aware of
Her Instagram was immediately inundated with direct messages featuring astonished face emojis and question marks.
Some of the more audacious individuals sent inquiries questioning her decision to post a picture of a naked baby, pondering why the baby was unclothed, and suggesting she remove the photo, insinuating its impropriety.
Their response was as startling to me as the photo was to them, leaving my dear niece, who deeply cherishes my daughter, feeling remorseful as if she had committed a misdeed.
Consequently, she opted to delete the photo.
READ MORE: ‘I couldn’t fathom it’: Kaley Cuoco reveals the reason she was criticized as a mother on a recent flight
I, being the mother of the infant in the photo, maintained that there was nothing wrong with it, so why were others asserting otherwise?
Label me traditional, but a delightful image of a naked baby should be cherished, not concealed.
In truth, I possess a nearly identical picture taken of me as a baby, which remains one of my treasured childhood mementos.
Had my niece possessed a public profile, naturally, I would have harbored more reservations. However, from my perspective, it appeared to be a relatively innocuous gesture.
Consequently, I swiftly perused the advice provided by the E-Safety Commissioner on this matter, which indicates that a photo like this could be associated with the prevalent phenomenon known as ‘sharenting’, where parents inadvertently jeopardize their children by oversharing images of them on social media.
The floral baby names that are projected to trend in 2024
Upon delving deeper, the guidance suggests: embracing the strictest privacy settings, ensuring contacts are trustworthy individuals, refraining from disclosing locations, and contemplating sharing solely within private groups.
Considering all these factors, I am confident that my niece adhered to all the necessary precautions, which is why I perceived no issue with it.
Her privacy settings are notably more stringent than mine due to her teenage status.
While I may not concur with the backlash to the photo, it serves as a valuable reminder to deliberate on our social media posts, the potential audience, and their possible reactions.