From capturing their first milestone to posing in front of their school with their uniform, our children are an integral part of every parent’s social media feed today. And that’s turning out to be scarier than we thought.
How much of a say do our kids have in us using their pictures on social media platforms? Have we given it a thought?
As a parenting fraternity, we speak about how children need to pick the sport of their choice, choose the instrument they wish to play, the food they desire to eat, etc. But do we have their consent when posting pictures of them on our social media feed? Pause and ask yourselves this question.
I got this opportunity to voice out my views in the Mint Lounge newspaper and digital edition on something I feel strongly about, something I have spoken about in the past, and something that we must pause to think about, as parents- Do we have our children’s consent when sharing online?
There is no one rule fits all policy here, I agree. And to each their own. But are we well aware of all the risks and dangers that we are inadvertently putting them in?
Read this article here on the Mint Lounge website.
It is important to think about the potential ramifications and respect our children’s privacy and consent, even though it may seem innocent or even delightful to share our parenting experiences online.
Privacy Rights
We naturally want to share our happiness and experiences as parents with our friends, family, and even the rest of the globe. But it’s important to keep in mind that our kids are people with their own privacy rights. We should consider if it is necessary, appropriate, and in their best interests before sharing anything about them online. Honouring their privacy.
Cyberbullying
For our kids, sharing can have unanticipated negative effects. We run the risk of exposing kids to threats like identity theft, internet predators, or cyberbullying by disclosing intimate information about their lives. Additionally, as adolescents get older, their sense of self and personal autonomy may suffer from frequent online presence. It is essential to provide both online and physical environments for our kids that are secure and caring.
Consent
A basic component of any conversation about privacy is consent. Young children might not be aware of the consequences of sharing, but older kids and teenagers can decide how much of their lives should be posted online. We must be open and honest with our kids about our online activity, and we must get their permission before sharing anything about them. Respecting their limits enables kids to make choices about their digital imprint and teaches them the value of consent.
Parenting Experience
There are other methods to include our loved ones in our parenting experience without oversharing personal information. To restrict access to close friends and family, think about setting up private groups or sharing updates over secure messaging applications. Additionally, offline pursuits like compiling actual photo albums or notebooks might offer a more personal and enduring approach to preserving priceless events.
I have said NO to numerous brands and collaborations over this decision and I stand by them, even after 10 years of Kidsstoppress. What is your take on this? Talk to me in the comments below.
The Assam Police Department recently put out a tweet asking parents not to be a “sharent” with a series of hard-hitting pictures that went viral on social media.
#DontBeASharent
— Assam Police (@assampolice) July 17, 2023
Assam Police cautions Parents using AI generated pictures.
–@IndiaTodayhttps://t.co/1i4RDNRKJ6
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KSP Team
Rushita Sheth
