How can parents address the normalisation of publicising private family matters in vlogs or social posts? 

Parenting Perspective 

Instilling the Value of Privacy 

It is important to help children appreciate that not every family moment is intended for public consumption. You can explain this by comparing personal matters to treasured keepsakes; they retain their significance and specialness when they are protected and respected, rather than constantly put on display for everyone to see. 

Understanding the Digital Footprint 

Discuss the long-term consequences of sharing personal information online. Emphasise that once a detail is posted, it can be permanently available, easily taken out of context, or misinterpreted by others. This can lead to future embarrassment, a breakdown of trust within the family, or other unintended negative outcomes for relationships. 

Establishing Clear Family Rules 

Work together as a family to create clear and consistent rules about what is appropriate to share publicly and what should remain private. When children are included in these discussions, they feel a sense of ownership and are more likely to understand the reasoning behind the boundaries, viewing them as a shared family agreement rather than restrictive controls. 

Leading by Example 

Children learn a great deal from observing their parents’ behaviour. If you are mindful and discreet about what you share on your own social media profiles, your children will naturally learn to do the same. This practical example teaches them that privacy is a form of mutual respect, not an exercise in secrecy. 

Spiritual Insight 

This issue connects deeply with the Islamic emphasis on modesty, dignity, and respecting boundaries. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah An Noor (24), Verse 27: 

‘Do not enter houses other than your own until you have asked permission and greeted their inhabitants…‘ 

This verse, while discussing physical homes, establishes a profound Islamic principle of respecting boundaries and seeking permission. This etiquette naturally extends to the digital ‘homes’ and private lives of our families. 

Furthermore, a key aspect of strong character in Islam is to avoid involving oneself in matters that are not of real concern or benefit. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, 3976, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Part of the excellence of a person’s Islam is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.‘ 

By avoiding the publicising of private family matters, children learn to uphold dignity, protect trust, and align their online behaviour with refined Islamic manners.