In an age where social media is ubiquitous and people start building their personal brands from an early age, celebrities around the world are increasingly creating Instagram accounts for their newborns and young children. The phenomenon has seen the likes of DJ Khaled, Michael Phelps and Serena Williams, as well as Kenyan stars Tanasha Donna and Vera Sidika, take to the digital world to showcase their offspring’s milestones. These accounts are run by parents and cover everything from their children’s first steps to their first words, attracting huge followings in the process.
Celebrity strategies: Brand building or overexposure?
The intentions behind these Instagram accounts vary depending on the celebrity parent. Some, like DJ MO, see this as an opportunity for their children to gain ambassadorial roles and recognition from a young age, and to leverage their large followings into lucrative deals. On the other hand, concerns about privacy and the potential negative effects of online exposure have led some parents to reconsider or even delete their children’s social media accounts. The practice has sparked a debate over whether these sharing behaviors are a strategic brand-building move or unhealthy exposure that threatens children’s privacy and well-being.
Public backlash and privacy debate
While many fans are delighted by the daily updates about their favorite celebrity children, there are growing concerns about the impact of this exposure. Platforms like Tattle Life have become hot spots for expressing disdain and criticism of influencers, including those who share content about their children. The backlash was far from trivial. As Niomi Smart’s experience shows, it has a real impact on influencers’ mental health. Critics argue that parents intentionally or unintentionally allow their children to become targets of online trolls and violate their privacy by projecting their narratives onto them.
The future of childhood in the digital age
As the debate rages on, it’s become clear that the phenomenon of celebrity children on social media is more than just a passing trend. It raises fundamental questions about privacy, consent, and the role of social media in our lives. Kim Kardashian’s nuanced stance – expressing concern about social media exposure while her daughter North West has a TikTok account – highlights the inherent complexities and contradictions of the issue sex. As social media continues to evolve, so does the way we deal with its impact on society’s youngest members.
The trend of celebrities creating Instagram accounts for their children is emblematic of the wider challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. As the practice becomes more common, it becomes a touchstone for how society values privacy, consent and childhood itself under the relentless glare of the digital spotlight. The answers to these questions will shape not only the future of celebrity culture but also the norms and values of digital citizens for generations to come.