Social media has become an integral part of our daily life, with many people engaging with it regularly. Parents frequently share pictures of their children on social media, without considering the potential risks of posting their child’s image online.
South African law emphasises the importance of privacy, urging parents to be careful about sharing too much personal information online. Children have the right to privacy, including digital privacy.
Attorney, Digital Rights Educator, and Online Safety Coach, Nadine Blom, said a digital footprint created by parents can affect their children’s friendships at school, future opportunities, and personal relationships, making it a matter that should be handled with great care.
“Children can’t consent to their photos being shared as they are minors, so parents are creating a digital identity for them without their permission. Sharing photos can reveal personal details (age, location, school), making children vulnerable to identity theft and cyberbullying. In rare cases, photos can be used for ‘digital kidnapping’ where someone creates a fake account to cause harm or extort money,” Blom mentioned.
Bloemfontein Courant visited Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which cares for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Founder Joan Marston said they have to use social media to attract more donations, which ultimately means posting children’s needs online. However, finding a balance between posting and protecting children online is essential for them.
“Firstly, we have to make sure we get permission from the parents. When we do post, we don’t show their full faces; we post in such a way that the child is protected. We understand the importance of their privacy. Furthermore, we don’t post regularly; we do it to get more donations and resources,” she said.
Blom provided parents with tips to reconsider exposing their children online.
- Think before posting: Consider the risks and benefits of sharing photos.
- Prioritise privacy: Use strong privacy settings and avoid sharing personal information.
- Be mindful of AI: Protect photos from misuse by AI tools.
- Teach online safety: Educate children about protecting their privacy online.
Clement Matroos
clement@mahareng.co.za
