{"title":"Sharenting in China: perspectives from mothers and adolescents","authors":"Lin Zhu, Yan Wang, Yanhong Chen","doi":"10.1108/intr-05-2023-0339","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3>Purpose</h3>\n<p>Mothers sharing images and information on social media about their children is a contemporary cultural norm. While the practice has been heavily discussed in popular media, there is a lack of empirical research examining the phenomenon from the perspectives of parents and adolescent children in China. The current study aims to find out whether or not mothers and their children engage in discussions about sharenting and how adolescents negotiate their privacy concerns with their mothers.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Design/methodology/approach</h3>\n<p>The current study examined how parents and their children make sense of sharenting via semi-structured interviews with 16 Chinese mothers. In addition, the study enlisted 21 adolescents to examine their perspectives on sharenting. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Findings</h3>\n<p>Results showed that although documentation is articulated as the primary sharenting motivation, identity management is a major drive behind sharenting. The dynamics between mothers and their children, as well as between adolescents and their parents, are also explored regarding the issues of consent, privacy and identity.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Research limitations/implications</h3>\n<p>This study has theoretical implications for the communication privacy management (CPM) theory, as it underscores the dynamic nature of privacy management, shaped by cultural norms, family dynamics and evolving communication technologies. It also adds value for campaign practitioners to provide education programs on the serious consequences of sharenting.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->\n<h3>Originality/value</h3>\n<p>This research serves as a starting point to further explore a child’s entrance to adulthood as our culture’s first true digital natives who will bear extensive online and offline identities.</p><!--/ Abstract__block -->","PeriodicalId":54925,"journal":{"name":"Internet Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":5.9000,"publicationDate":"2024-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Internet Research","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/intr-05-2023-0339","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Mothers sharing images and information on social media about their children is a contemporary cultural norm. While the practice has been heavily discussed in popular media, there is a lack of empirical research examining the phenomenon from the perspectives of parents and adolescent children in China. The current study aims to find out whether or not mothers and their children engage in discussions about sharenting and how adolescents negotiate their privacy concerns with their mothers.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study examined how parents and their children make sense of sharenting via semi-structured interviews with 16 Chinese mothers. In addition, the study enlisted 21 adolescents to examine their perspectives on sharenting. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
Results showed that although documentation is articulated as the primary sharenting motivation, identity management is a major drive behind sharenting. The dynamics between mothers and their children, as well as between adolescents and their parents, are also explored regarding the issues of consent, privacy and identity.
Research limitations/implications
This study has theoretical implications for the communication privacy management (CPM) theory, as it underscores the dynamic nature of privacy management, shaped by cultural norms, family dynamics and evolving communication technologies. It also adds value for campaign practitioners to provide education programs on the serious consequences of sharenting.
Originality/value
This research serves as a starting point to further explore a child’s entrance to adulthood as our culture’s first true digital natives who will bear extensive online and offline identities.
期刊介绍:
This wide-ranging interdisciplinary journal looks at the social, ethical, economic and political implications of the internet. Recent issues have focused on online and mobile gaming, the sharing economy, and the dark side of social media.