Be cautious and selective about posting kids’ photos online, say experts

Wary of paedophiles or identify thieves and well being of children, experts caution parents from putting up too many pictures of their kids online.

According to a new research, parents who post pictures of their kids on social media and share with others on a digital platform, could invite unanticipated risks in the future.

Experts observe that parents initially don’t always understand how their own use of social media may affect their children’s well-being. (Shutterstock)

Information shared can be stolen or repeatedly re-shared, unbeknownst to parents, potentially ending in the hands of paedophiles or identify thieves, the study suggested.

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“The amount of information placed in the digital universe about our children in just a few short years is staggering,” said Bahareh Keith, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, US.

Parents often consider how to best protect children while the child is using the internet. However, parents initially don’t always consider how their own use of social media may affect their children’s well-being.

“When we share on social media, we must all consider how our online actions affects our children’s well-being, both today and long into the future,” the author added.

Children may one day want to have some privacy and control over their digital identity, say experts. (Shutterstock)

They also advised never to share pictures that show their children in any state of undress or share their child’s actual location in a post.

“Even more likely, the child might one day want to have some privacy and control over his or her digital identity. Untangling the parent’s right to share his or her own story and the child’s right to enter adulthood free to create his or her own digital footprint is a daunting task,” said Stacey Steinberg, Law Professor, University of Florida Levin College of Law added.

The study suggested that paediatricians can advocate for increased awareness and healthy thumb rules among parents to protect a child’s online identity.