A Digital Footprint From Birth: New Mothers’ Decisions to Share Baby Pictures Online

Abstract

This research explored new mothers’ decision-making processes to share baby pictures online, particularly on social network sites (SNSs). Semi-structured interviews with 22 new mothers around the United States and abroad uncovered the types of pictures they did and did not share online as well as the different SNSs and other communication platforms they used. The desire to connect with family and friends motivated participants to share pictures online, though many participants had to negotiate expectations regarding online photo sharing with their husbands, and, to a lesser extent, other family or friends. Participants’ conception of their audience, both who was in it and what its members would want to see, as well as privacy concerns influenced their decisions. Participants also considered their own identities and opinions regarding their presentation of self when deciding whether to share baby pictures online. This study extends existing work on online photo sharing and describes how a growing online audience affects photo-sharing behaviors. It also explores the role of technology in the transition to parenthood, offering photo sharing as one potential lens through which to explore the mother-child relationship.