On the Edge of Digital Privacy: The Sharenting Experiences of Mothers of Children With Special Needs

As social media use becomes increasingly widespread, parental sharing of child-related content, known as sharenting, has also grown; however, mothers of children with special needs remain relatively underexplored in the literature. This study examines the sharenting experiences of mothers of children with special needs, focusing on their motivations for sharing and their awareness of digital privacy. The study used a qualitative design, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 mothers and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings indicate that mothers’ sharenting practices are organized under six interrelated themes: the visibility of positive moments, the expression of invisible caregiving labor, the pursuit of social support, perceived risks related to children’s data, strategies for protecting privacy, and rights-based ethical representation. While mothers often use social media to raise awareness and advocate, their understanding of digital risks remains largely intuitive rather than systematically informed, highlighting the need for parent-oriented interventions and training programs.