Is spreading photos of children on social media dangerous? From emotional damage to future reputational damage

It is called sharenting, a term made up of 'share' and 'parenting', and it is the constant and often excessive sharing by parents of photos, videos and information about their children on social media and other online platforms. A very common practice: according to a European study, every year parents share an average of 300 contents online about their children, mainly on Facebook (54%), Instagram (16%) and Twitter (12%). This behaviour is almost always carried out in good faith, but it exposes children to significant risks, including identity theft, the undermining of online reputations, the misuse of personal data, the danger of bullying, grooming by predators and the creation of a public image that the child may not want in the future. Although children cannot give consent due to their young age, they too have a right to privacy, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Many families spontaneously share moments of everyday life on social networks: the first meal, the first Christmas, the first day of school. Studies that have investigated the phenomenon show that usually the publication of photos and videos has positive and non-profit motives. In addition, there are many pages dedicated to specific parenting issues, which disclose and discuss health and education problems, putting pictures of their children at the centre. A related, but distinct, phenomenon is that of the baby influencers, i.e., children who are the protagonists of advertising content, thus made for commercial purposes, often through accounts in their own name. In some countries, such as France, this activity is regulated; in Italy a draft law on the rights and duties of sharenting has been presented.

Among the documented risks, besides the violation of privacy, are the possibility of sexual exploitation of images and access to private data. In addition, the phenomenon of digital kidnapping is growing. It is a computer crime, through which minors' identities are stolen in order to commit illegal actions; for example, to make illicit use of health, banking and tax services. No less important is the risk of emotional damage to one's children, both immediately and in the future. A funny photo, a video of a joke, a tantrum or a cry can become very embarrassing for children and young people, and could be the cause of prejudice or exclusion as adults, at work or in social life. Particularly sensitive, finally, is the issue of illness. Many families recount on social networks both the minor ailments of their children and more serious illnesses, such as long hospital stays and therapies. This is sensitive data, and the risk of compromising the public image of the future adult is real. Naturally, the dissemination of nudes, even of infants, must be absolutely avoided: the risk is that images such as these can be intercepted and exchanged for child pornography purposes. With generative artificial intelligence apps, moreover, malicious persons could animate photographs or manipulate videos of children; the consequences of these new types of identity theft (called deep fakes) are not foreseeable at the moment.

Digital technology experts, paediatricians, psychologists agree: no sharing can be completely safe. Certainly special care is needed for sharing - not always consciously - by the less digital generations. But even the most informed parents should be cautious and limit the visibility of minors, at least until they are able to give their consent. If we decide to share photographs on social networks, we can use these tricks (to be enforced also by grandparents, friends, teachers) do not show the child's face or hide it, blur it; do not divulge sensitive data and do not divulge the location; limit the privacy and visibility of posts on social and messaging services; do not create social accounts dedicated to the child; deactivate camera and microphone access authorisations in the apps; prefer private messaging services and sharing platforms, protected by passwords and security systems such as end-to-end encryption (which protects from third parties). It is also increasingly useful to support children's digital literacy: educate them in the conscious use of online tools and ensure that they learn to surf independently but responsibly. Finally, it is never too late to discuss with children (even 8, 9 year olds) the possible removal of images posted without their consent.

Read the full factsheet on the doctormaeveroche of Fnomceo