Shawn Johnson East and her husband, Andrew East, have been deliberate in their approach to sharing photos of their three children on social media. They are cautious about not crossing any boundaries and only sharing content that they feel comfortable with. Shawn mentioned that as their children grow older, they will likely take a step back from social media to allow their kids to have more control over their own privacy. The couple has been married since 2016 and share three children: daughter Drew, 5, and sons Jett, 3, and Bear, 15 months.
As their family has grown, Shawn and Andrew have shared their children’s milestones on social media and in YouTube vlogs. However, as their kids become more recognizable and form their own opinions, the couple has decided to limit their children’s presence in their online content. They want to ensure that their children have the freedom to navigate their own social media presence as they grow older and become more aware of their online footprint. Shawn emphasized that they approach sharing content from a parent’s perspective and always consider what is best for their children.
The couple’s parenting journey has led them to partner with performance supplement brand Beam to launch a youth-oriented version with over 40 nutrients, including a probiotic, multivitamin, and greens blend. Shawn collaborated with experts to create a product that would meet the nutritional needs of children without resorting to multiple gummy supplements. She explained that they also make their own protein shakes using Beam nutrients each morning, and the kids have their own versions with flavors chosen by them. After seeing the positive impact it had on their children’s health, they decided to introduce the product to a wider audience.
Shawn mentioned that their social media approach is always evolving and they constantly have discussions about what to share and what to keep private. They have a collection of unedited home videos capturing precious moments with their children that they choose to share in a relatable way with their followers. Shawn emphasized that their social media content is more about their experiences as parents and not about showcasing their children. They want to strike a balance between sharing moments with their audience and preserving their children’s privacy as they grow up.
In the future, Shawn and Andrew plan to involve their children in the decision-making process regarding their presence on social media. They want their kids to have agency over what is shared about them online and respect their boundaries. Shawn mentioned that as their children become more independent and develop their own personalities, they will take a step back from sharing as much on social media. The couple’s priority is to ensure that their children are comfortable with the content that is being shared and that they have control over their own digital footprint as they navigate the online world.
