Experts have issued a new warning on the dangers of posting images of your children online, even before they’re born.
Australian data experts say parents should rethink what photos and information they post online about their children. As part of a review, Edith Cowan University experts found that every digital post parents make about their children on social networks contributes to the development of their child’s digital identity.
“A lot of parents are unaware that when they post things like photos or identifying information, such as school uniforms, they are creating a digital identity for their children.
“Even when they post about their pregnancy or anticipating the birth of the child, they give away identifying data. And that creates a digital identity even before the child is born,” Dr Valeska Berg, who conducted the review, said.
And the ways that your child’s digital footprint can be used is disturbing – from identity theft to the distribution of their images to unwanted people.
It’s why Dr Berg is recommending only using private messaging to share children’s images with family and friends.
“A lot of the times people think that if they only share with their friends on social platforms like Facebook, that it is quite safe. However, we often have contacts on those social networks that are only superficially known. Therefore, I would recommend private messaging through Messenger, WhatsApp, Signal and so on. That is a lot safer than public sharing.
“Creating those secure networks is really important whether that is on Instagram or Facebook. Just putting the profile on private, unless you only have a handful of very close people on there, is not enough to keep your child’s privacy protected.”
Data experts say parents should be protecting their children’s digital footprint, by taking precautions with the photos they upload online.
“We found that some parents will use tools to blur out the face, or only take pictures where the child is facing away from the camera. The less information you can put out on your child, the better,” she added.
Dr Berg said kids should also get a say in what is posted about them online.
“Where possible, children should be involved in the development of their digital identity. Research to identify how this can be achieved and to give voice to the experiences of young children is needed to better understand this important and fast-moving area. Future studies should explore the perspectives of children as key stakeholders in the creation of their digital identity.”
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RA1234756 replied
- 05 Apr 2024 , 12:57 pm
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