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Entertainment

Viktorija Strelciunaite

People Share 73 Hilariously Awkward Childhood Pics They Probably Wish They Could Delete

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Not everyone is proud of their childhood photos. Many went through awkward stages in their younger years, and having these images unearthed for the entire world to see is the last thing they would want.

However, you have those who are brave enough to post these pictures online. Here are some examples where people shared snapshots of themselves during carefree times. Most of these were taken before they hit puberty, went through teenage angst, and had zero stressors other than waking up early for school the next day.

These may not be your childhood photos, but they could nonetheless be a good source of nostalgia for you.

#1 My 1978 Birthday

#2 Me And My Dad Circa 1980

#3 Me And The Neighborhood Kids, Late 80s

We had all pooled our allowances to buy lumber and build a quarter pipe. What a great summer.

Before social media, it wasn’t as easy to share for parents to share childhood photos of their kids with many people. For the most part, these snapshots were confined within a photo album, only to be unearthed physically upon request.

It’s a much more touchy issue in the digital age, where people with ill intentions can easily snag sensitive information online, including photos. Yet, many parents still do so, seemingly unaware of the risks they’re putting their children through. Experts have referred to this practice as sharenting.

#4 My Sister And I Receiving Our 1st Gen Furbies Circa 1998

Our grandmother worked for Toys R Us and was able to score these bad boys for us.

#5 Mid 80s Madison Wisconsin. My Bike Crew

#6 Getting Serious Helmet-Less Air In The San Fernando Valley Circa Mid-70's

As University of Florida professor Stacey Steinberg tells UNICEF, sharenting is when parents talk about their children outside the family circle, whether it’s writing a blog post about their children, sending videos through messaging platforms like WhatsAppm and sharing photos on social media.

#7 I Wasn’t Very Cool As A Kid, But In 1986 I Had A Pet Raccoon

My dad and I found a passed raccoon in an abandoned barn, and her kid was trying to suckle. We brought him home, and my family bottle-fed him. He was always allowed outside, but he bonded with our dogs, so he stayed with us until 1990. He started to wander into the woods and eventually went back to the wild.

#8 My 13th Birthday, July 2000

I’m the one in the yellow tank top looking wasted (I was waterlogged from spending about 8 hours in the pool on a hot day).

#9 Me With Charlie Tuna - Approx 79 Or 1980

Watch out, or some huge Tuna fish might mug you.

“When we share things about our children online without involving them in that decision-making process, we’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to teach our children and model for our children the idea of consent,” Steinberg said, admitting that social media has made it difficult for parents to keep their children’s lives completely private.

#10 My Mom And Me, 1982

#11 Nothing More Cool For 8-Year-Old Me In 1978

#12 Classy Childhood Picture

Research cited by Verywell Mind found that 74% of parents know at least one parent who overshares information about their children online. Likewise, 1 out of 10 parents shares information about their kids’ health issues.

As clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Anderson Kirby tells the publication, sharing sensitive information could compromise a child’s trust in their parent.

#13 Just Found This Photo Of My Childhood Self Getting My Hands On My First Fossil Packs

#14 The Neighborhood, 1993

#15 June 1974, Nothing Beats A Ride In The Back Of The Wagon With The Window Open (Unless Yo Want To Breath)

This isn’t to say that parents should completely avoid sharing about their kids on social media. Dr. Kirby suggested better ways to sharent, including posting anonymously in parental support groups.

But more importantly, Dr. Kirby advises parents to get consent from their children. Part of it is explaining to their kids what they want to share, and respecting their wishes if they say no.

#16 My Parents Bred Golden Retrievers When I Was A Kid, I Loved Piling Them Anywhere I Could. My Wagon, My Bed, The Laundry Basket

Also featured is the mom of the puppies, my first dog, Mickey.

#17 My Parents Working To Increase Blood Flow To Aid In Their Child’s Early Brain Development Circa 1982

#18 My Childhood Bowling Team Posing With Our Trophies From The Season

#19 Took This Really Cute Pic At My Moms Wedding Party In 2003

#20 My Mom Really Did A Number On Me As A Kid, Gave Me A Bowl Cut Trucker Mullet And Bought Me A Pet Goat For My Birthday (His Name Was Flash)

#21 When I Was A Kid I Asked My Dad To Take Me To Meet The Love Of My Life And He Did. Thanks, Dad

#22 Family Camping Trip Circa 2003

#23 Wannabe Borat Lacks Regard For Passenger. I Clearly Had The Best Photo Ideas As A Child

#24 Me, Rainbow Brite, Popple, Annie, And Rainbow Sprite, 1985

#25 1981-Me On The Rocking Horse My Dad Built For Me

#26 1980 Backyard Birthday Party

This is how birthday parties looked in southern California. Love my cul de sac crew's fashion.

#27 I Recently Visited My Sister Who Shared Her Favorite Childhood Photo Of Me. The Time I Married My Giant Stuffed Pikachu, Ricky

#28 My Childhood Best Friend Was Bubbles From The Powerpuff Girls From Halloween In 2000 And I’m Dying At This Photo I Just Found Of Us. I Was A Barbie Cheerleader

#29 Me (Left) And My Brother’s Clique. I Was In Love With The Boy In The Left My Whole Childhood And He Never Knew

#30 My Dad And I Eating The Three Bears Porridge In The Mid 80s

#31 2006 Was Not The Prettiest Year Of My Childhood. Or My Brother's, For Different Reasons

#32 Skating In Grass In An Iguana Tee Tucked Into Jorts With My Pet Goat

#33 This Was A Character I Was Workshopping As A Kid

His name was Mr. Grumbles, and yeah, I ended up a theater kid.

#34 I Am About 6 Or 7. I Was Trying To Look Like A Member Of Nsync. I Can’t With Myself (Insert Face Palm)

#35 Me, 1985

#36 Me, Circa 1994

#37 Me And Gramps Lookin Fresh In ‘91

#38 Kids Burger King Birthday Party Early 70s

#39 Late 80s. My Friends And I On Our Ramp

This was taken in the late 80s. We were trying for big air.

#40 My Mom And I Circa 1999. We Were At A Family Reunion

#41 My Band With The Neighborhood Kids From 1987

I'm wearing the black shirt. I was inspired by my fave band, The Bangles, and formed a band with my friends from the neighborhood.

#42 I Demanded This Haircut For Most Of My Childhood

My mom cut my hair when I was a kid, and I always demanded this style. I got called a boy a lot. I'm not. I was around 8 years old, I think. 1987-ish.

#43 My Childhood Best Friend And I Wearing Our Coolest Dresses, 1993-1994

#44 This Photo Of My Siblings And Me At Our Childhood Home Looks Like We Just Mixed The Dopest Farm Songs Of 1990

#45 As I Was Looking Through My Childhood Photography Albums, I Found This Photo Of Myself

#46 Me In 1982 Or 1983, Not Much Has Changed

#47 That Time In 1985

When Skeletor took over Castle Greyskull with the help of the Galactic Empire. If I could say one thing to 9 year old me, it would be this: Wish you weren’t so awkward, bud.