Childhood's changing, from hide and seek to tap and scroll, from toys in hand to phone in hand, the era changed, and the technology took over. Once childhood was all about playing in the streets, having clay toys, with fake food, building sand castles with stones on the top, and writing letters with color markers, with drawing, now it's all about having phones in hand, headphone sets in, and living in a technological world while being distant from everyone and everything around.
Sharenting
But now there’s another shift too in modern era: “sharenting” the practice of parents sharing photos, stories, and moments of their children online. It’s a blend of sharing and parenting, where parents broadcast their children doing and learning publicly on social media. And in between this shift, the children lose their innocence.
Lost Innocence:
Long ago, roads echoed with laughter, firecrackers, and the patter of bare feet racing friends. Childhood was messy, scraped knees, late-night storytelling with cousins, and real-world connections that shaped personalities.
Today, many children spend most days in their rooms, eyes glued to screens, lost in digital worlds while the real world pauses outside their doors. The charm of bicycles and games like hide and seek has faded for too many, replaced by tapping and scrolling.
Once, children waited for their favorite cartoon to air at a specific time, mornings began with a quiet dua, breakfast with grandparents, and laughter. Now, birthdays are more about gadgets than homemade cakes, lots of gifts, handwritten letters and innocence is often replaced by curated digital snapshots.
Digital Fame at a Young Age
Some young Pakistani social media stars, including children who vlog their daily routines or appear in family channels, become public figures before they’re old enough to choose that path.
One well known case is Mohammad Shiraz, a child vlogger from Gilgit Baltistan whose daily life videos gained massive attention. His online fame brought both praise and concerns from parents and viewers, and eventually led his father to step back from posting so that his son could focus on his education.
Sharing a child’s full name, location, school events, achievements, or even minor milestones can make them visible not just to friends and family, but to strangers permanently. Photos may leave digital trails that stay online long after childhood ends, shaping a digital identity without the child’s input.
Modern kids
Modern kids are undeniably tech savvy, learning digital skills earlier than past generations, creating art, connecting with peers around the world, and even producing meaningful digital content. This exposure brings opportunities that past generations could only imagine.
But this digital life comes with costs: decreased sleep, increased anxiety, and less physical activity; less real-life interaction and play, which are essential for emotional and social development; and sharenting, which can compromise privacy, contribute to online identity formation without consent, and expose children to risks like cyberbullying.
A Thoughtful Path Forward
In Pakistan, awareness about these risks is growing. Research shows that while some parents share children’s lives online frequently, many are still unfamiliar with the term sharenting and its implications, calling for better understanding of children’s digital rights and online safety.
Across Pakistan, social media has reshaped how families share joy and celebrate milestones. But sometimes, this sharing goes beyond private circles: parents might post school photos, outing videos, or even intimate moments without realizing how widely they spread or how long they remain online. Some online parenting communities encourage sharing experiences, but without always considering whether children have agreed to be part of this digital story.
Digital Balance
Technology isn’t bad, it’s different. It has gifted today’s children’s tools to learn, create, and connect. But a healthy childhood isn’t only about screens, it’s about moments, play, laughter, shared memories, real friends, and real experiences.
To raise children who are both digitally competent and emotionally grounded, we need mindful habits: share meaningful moments respectfully, with consent and privacy in mind; encourage outdoor play, social interaction, and creativity beyond screens; teach children not just how to scroll, but when to stop and live. Real childhood isn’t captured only in pixels and posts, it’s lived in laughter, friendships, scraped knees, and family dinners that aren’t broadcast, but remembered.
Childhood, innocence, and authentic experiences shape who we become. The digital era brings unprecedented opportunities, but also new challenges. Sharenting reminds us that while we document life, we should also protect it, giving children the right to grow up with privacy, choice, and real memories. It’s not about going backward, but about moving forward with mindfulness.
Because the essence of childhood isn’t in the medium, but the moments, messy, magical, and unforgettable.
