EXPOSURE OF MINORS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: LIMITS OF PARENTAL AUTHORITY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL LIABILITY

Abstract

The popularization of social media has intensified the exposure of children and adolescents in the digital environment. This scenario gave origin to the phenomenon known as sharenting, that consists of the constant dissemination of images, videos, and other personal information of minors by their legal guardians, generating controversy regarding the limits of parental authority. Although parents have a duty of custody, protection, and administration of their children's lives, the exercise of this authority is legally limited when it jeopardizes the rights of personality, privacy, and dignity of children and adolescents. Given this scenario, this work aims to analyze to what extent the exposure of minors on social media can constitute abuse of parental authority, as well as to investigate the circumstances in which this conduct may give rise to civil liability for damages resulting from improper disclosure. The research will be conducted through bibliographic and documentary study, with a qualitative analysis of Brazilian doctrine, legislation, and judicial decisions related to the topic, especially in the period between 2020 and 2025, encompassing the Statute of the Child and Adolescent, the Civil Code, the Federal Constitution, and the General Data Protection Law. It is expected to be demonstrated that when digital exposure exceeds the legitimate scope of parental care and violates the comprehensive protection of minors, especially in situations of content monetization, economic exploitation, or foreseeable harm, it constitutes abuse of parental authority and may generate civil liability, contributing to the development of legal parameters that ensure greater protection of the rights of children and adolescents in the virtual environment.