2Istanbul University, Department of Interdisciplinary Developmental Behavioral Disorders and Integrated Approach, Istanbul, Türkiye; Istanbul University, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Istanbul, Türkiye; University of Kent, Institude of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS) School of Computing, Canterbury, UK
Abstract
Cybersecurity for children has emerged as a rapidly growing field of research and practice, owing to the widespread accessibility of the internet for children, even before birth, and their consequent exposure to diverse online and real-world risks. Sharenting, the act of parents sharing content about their children on social media, has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the sharenting phenomenon in Türkiye, exploring the motivations behind content creation, evaluating children's rights, analyzing the implications for digital footprints, and assessing cybersecurity awareness. This systematic literature review, conducted using the PRISMA standard, examined 17 peer-reviewed studies that provide in-depth insights into the sharenting phenomenon in Türkiye, focusing on content creation motivations, children's rights, digital footprint, and cybersecurity awareness. The findings suggest that sharenting is a common practice among Turkish parents, driven by a desire to document their children's lives, seek validation and social connections, and maintain a sense of shared parenting experiences. And Nonetheless the consequences of sharenting on children's rights, such as privacy, autonomy, and consent, are mostly disregarded by parents. This review highlights that the existing literature in Türkiye offers only an initial perspective on the motivations behind parental sharenting practices. However, there is a significant lack of awareness regarding the associated risks, including the implications for children's rights, digital footprints, and potential future consequences, as well as the possibility of online and offline child abuse. The findings indicate that Turkish parents' primary concern is the cultural belief in the "evil eye" (nazar), rather than awareness of the real risks associated with sharenting. This highlights the need for studies that address awareness of the actual dangers and implications of sharenting, rather than focusing solely on the cultural superstition. Consequently, the authors emphasize the critical importance of conducting multidisciplinary studies, including contributions from engineering disciplines, to address these gaps and develop solutions to mitigate the future risks of sharenting in Türkiye.
