"Sharenting" describes the phenomenon of parents sharing their own children's photos online, which involves risks such as cyberbullying and data protection violations. AI can even increase those risks through facial recognition and automated creation of profiles. Parents should therefore share with care, use privacy settings and communicate with their children.
Harmless? Or risky after all?
It has become common for parents to share photos and information about their children on social media and messenger services. It allows families and friends to share and celebrate special moments and milestones together.However, this behavior conveys certain risks. Sharing information and images of children online can lead to unexpected and unwanted consequences. Children can inadvertently become the target of cyberbullying or stalking. In the worst case scenario, the content can end up in the hands of people with bad intentions. In addition, sharing content leaves a "digital footprint", which means permanent digital traces on the internet. This footprint creates a digital identity that can be potentially harmful as it has been created without the child's consent and can be accessed anytime, anywhere and the content can be easily altered.
AI and image services
In addition to these concerns, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in amplifying these risks should not be underestimated. AI algorithms can use facial recognition technology to automatically identify and collect images of children, leading to the creation of children's profiles that can be used for advertising purposes or even to create pornographic content.Furthermore, AI systems may be able to recognize and evaluate personality traits and preferences of children based on images and texts. Another risk is posed by so-called deepfakes, manipulative content that is generated by AI and can affect children.
Parents need to be aware of the risks of sharing content online and act responsibly. Here are some strategies parents should consider to ensure the safety and privacy of their children:
Parents should pay attention to the motif before taking the picture. Photos should be taken in such a way that the children are not directly recognizable.
Think carefully about which pictures you want to share with whom. Our recommendation: Do not share pictures of lightly clothed or even naked children! Please also do not share pictures in situations that could later embarrass the children (i.e. potty training, sleeping in an unusual pose etc.). These pictures, however funny they may seem to us, do not belong online.
Social media platforms offer various privacy settings. Parents should use these to ensure that only trustworthy people have access to their shared content.
Talk to your children about the risks of the internet and explain to them why and what images of them and their siblings and friends are being shared. Strictly speaking, parents must get consent from their children before sharing images or information online.
Think about whether you want to share all the moments you capture in photos or whether you want to keep them within the family. One idea, for example, could be a photo album that you look at together with your child and/or relatives.
In summary, although sharenting can seem like a harmless and loving gesture, there are potential risks that parents should be aware of. With the appropriate precautions and responsible behavior, it is possible to balance the desire to share precious moments of children's lives with the need to protect their privacy and safety in the digital world.
Read more
Parents like to share pictures of their children on social media as beautiful memories for later. But this is not entirely harmless. Sharenting can have long-term consequences for children and violate their personal rights. Teachtoday offers information and help in the form of background information and a project idea.
Sharenting: A Message from Ella
How to safely share children's photos online. Take the quiz to test and expand your knowledge about sharing content in order to shape your children's digital footprint responsibly.
Quiz: Privacy and security online
News
13.06.2024
Comenius EduMedia Award 2024
5.06.2024
European elections 2024 - opportunities for children's rights
30.04.2024
AI and automation increasingly accepted in the media industry
Share this article!
Post the article with one click!
Share