The prevalence of humorous content featuring children on social media\nfrequently attracts significant attention from netizens. However, such\ncontent is showing indications of forms of exploitation that parents may\nnot even realise are occurring.<\/p>\n
Content uploaded in this manner indirectly shares information,\nphotos, videos, or stories about children, a practice known as\n\u2018sharenting\u2019. Behind the narrative of preserving memories and sharing\nstories of a child\u2019s development, there lies an underlying objective to\nproduce content with economic value.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon has been studied by five students from Universitas\nGadjah Mada (UGM) as part of the Teman Tumbuh team under the Student\nCreativity Programme in Humanities Research (PKM-RSH). The team leader,\nPhedra Annabelle, stated that the development of digital platforms has\ngiven content involving children significant economic value. According\nto her, children can become part of a content strategy designed to\ngenerate profit through various monetisation mechanisms.<\/p>\n
Phedra noted that social media platforms are no longer just places to\nshare videos. Through engagement, brand collaborations, affiliate\nprogrammes, and various other forms of monetisation, a single video can\npossess substantial economic value.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this situation, the child is no longer merely a figure appearing\nin a video. The child can transform into part of a content strategy,\neven becoming a digital asset that helps generate profit,\u201d Phedra said\nin a written statement, reported on Wednesday (30\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
The research team revealed three primary roles children play in these\npractices of \u2018hidden exploitation\u2019. First, the child acts as a user or\nconsumer of a product, for example, by using or interacting directly\nwith a displayed item.<\/p>\n
Second, the child serves as a child actor following a specific plot\nor script within the content. Third, the child acts as a testimonial\nprovider, where their experiences, words, or reactions are used to\ndemonstrate that a product is worthy of being used or purchased.<\/p>\n
Phedra emphasised that while parents play a vital role in upbringing\nand decision-making, children also possess a right to their own privacy.\nFurthermore, technology is making these boundaries increasingly\ncomplex.<\/p>\n
Photos and videos originally intended only for family sharing and\nentertainment can spread widely, reaching millions of viewers.\nInformation that appears simple today can become part of a child\u2019s\ndigital footprint for many years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, the issue is not about banning parents from sharing moments\nwith their children, but about ensuring that the rights and privacy of\nthe child are still respected in the process,\u201d said Phedra.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/when-does-child-content-turn-into-exploitation-1790834283", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }