Taking pregnancy pictures online can even lead to the creation of a digital identity for your child that could be exploited, according to data scientists. When a child appears online, experts say it puts them at risk of identity theft or distribution of images to third parties once they appear online.
In addition, they say parents should consider what their children share online because this contributes to their child's development as a digital individual.
Children are exposed to identity theft, as well as the distribution of images to third parties as soon as they appear online, according to experts who claim they have a digital identity once they appear online.
According to a new study published in Paediatrics and Parenting, parents often think sharing pictures on social media sites is safe, but this may not always be the case, according to the study.
As the experts pointed out, parents should consider the content they share with their children on social media, as this contributes to the development of a digital identity in them as a child.
Dr Valeska Berg, from Edith Cowan University, in Australia, says that many parents do not realize the importance of building a digital identity for their children when they share photos and other identifying information on social media sites such as Facebook.
Their posts about being pregnant or anticipating the birth of their child often include personal information that identifies them.
A study published in Paediatrics and Parenting shows that parents think it is safe to share pictures on social media platforms, even before the child is born, and that this creates a digital identity even before the child is born.
The doctor has emphasized that parents need to establish secure networks for virtual interactions, regardless of whether they are using Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform.
Changing the profile to private is not enough to ensure that a child's photos are safe, she explained.
As a rule of thumb, Dr Berg advises people to shield their children's faces from photos to preserve their privacy and to avoid publishing specific information about them on the Internet. The researcher said that children should be involved in the process of establishing their digital identity as much as possible.
For a deeper understanding of this important, fast-moving field, research is needed to identify ways of accomplishing this as well as give voice to the experiences of young children. “In conclusion, the findings highlight the necessity for parents to remain aware and vigilant about the implications of sharing pregnancy and childhood photos online in the future.”
In conclusion, future studies should explore the perspectives of children as key stakeholders in the creation of their digital identity.”
Thoughtful consideration and proactive measures must be taken to safeguard the privacy of children, as their digital footprints are developed from an early age.
The research of Dr. Valeska Berg emphasizes the importance of ongoing exploration and dialogue for children to participate actively in shaping their digital identities in the future. In today's digital age, it is very important to make informed decisions and take responsible digital practices, and this call to action underscores this.
