United Kingdom, Sept. 2 -- Children whose parents share their photographs online are at greater risk of harassment, cyberbullying and even identity theft in later life, according to new research.

The practice - known as "sharenting" - has become widespread as parents document their children's lives on social media.

But academics at the University of Southampton have warned it could have serious unintended consequences, with findings indicating that such sharing increases the risk of children becoming victims of cybercrime.

Rani Govender, the NSPCC's online child safety policy manager, told the BBC: "These findings highlight the serious risks which children can face when photos and videos of them are shared widely on social media.

"Sha...