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Original poster

Children on social media

62 replies

ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 20:04

I used to post photos of my son on social media, until I went to some training on children and autonomy/the Internet etc. It opened my eyes to the fact that I had created a digital footprint of my son without his consent, and posted 'cute' photos of him that he may find embarrassing as he gets older. I removed all photographs and won't post any more unless he wants me to when he's older. The training really struck a chord.

I've come across people either friends or 'influencer', that post all sorts, photos of kids in the bath with goggles on, photos of their kids in drama performances, photos of their kids upset or stressed for whatever reason, videos pranking their kids etc.

Does anyone else wonder what the effect of putting photos of our children's daily lives on the Internet might be?

OP posts:
snowbellsxox · 22/05/2023 07:25

Following

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 22/05/2023 07:35

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

All correct but not sure you read the OP...

OP posts:
SouthCountryGirl · 22/05/2023 07:36

I have a friend who posts everything online about her children. I sometimes wonder if she's really enjoying what they're doing if she's taking all these photos and uploading them.

Whilst scrolling I've accidentally clicked on a random persons profile. Can't believe that some are public and they post photos of their children. Children that are too young to consent.

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 22/05/2023 07:38

Xrays · 22/05/2023 07:16

I have a really small circle of friends on my private Facebook- literally about 20- and I share the occasional photo of Ds on there. I have no issue with him being put online on his schools website or something like that. I think we’ve all become so ridiculously worried about everything now it’s almost sad when you can’t see photos of people enjoying themselves when you look online at stuff. There are so, so many pictures of kids / people online in general I really don’t think it’s worth getting upset about it all. As an adult I couldn’t give a flying monkeys whether there are / were photos of me out there as a kid doing mundane normal kid stuff.

I personally don't think we, or our government, or big social media corporations put nearly enough thought into the damage the Internet is doing. I don't think we worry enough. I'm hoping the online safety bill will address a lot of concerns but I still am not sure it will suffice.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 22/05/2023 07:39

nutmegnook · 22/05/2023 07:07

I don't know one person who doesn't put pics on insta or fb of them and their kids. Just saying.

Does this mean you're in support of it because everyone does it or did I read that wrong?

OP posts:
GeriKellmansUpdo · 22/05/2023 07:40

I never have and I never will. It's cringe for me. I send photos to close family only.

bamboonights · 22/05/2023 07:48

It's so seriously dangerous. There's even less excuse for those who have an open profile. My account was hacked, taken 'down' by FB, no customer service to help get it back. ALL my data is out there somewhere - thank God no kids pics.

user1477391263 · 22/05/2023 07:50

savehannah · 21/05/2023 20:44

I post pics of my kids though nothing embarrassing or nude. And only on Facebook where I am only friends with people who I actually know in real life. I don't understand sharing anything personal on Instagram where any random can follow you.

I do also think when it's literally just pictures of my kids doing totally normal things,I can't see why it would be of any interest to anyone who doesn't know them. Anyone can see my kids walking down the street or in a park, so not sure how people seeing a photo of them in a park is dangerous. I do think people worry a bit too much.

Same here. I post the occasional 100% non-embarrassing picture of my child online and don’t worry about it much. I am also not sure that WhatsApp and similar are that much more secure.

MoltenLasagne · 22/05/2023 08:07

France are legislating against parents sharing images of their child online. Apparently a key driver is to reduce images stolen for child pornography.

I have only posted images of my children as birth announcements. Even those I went back and re-edited to remove date of birth and middle names once I read about how easy it makes ID theft.

But even though I've not posted, there are still pictures of them online because of aunts and their Grandmas who take photos at gatherings and then share them. It's very difficult to limit it.

Theroad · 22/05/2023 08:08

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Do you work for a SM company? 😆 overall social media is not a "valuable tool" for children? What child is happier because they're on social media? It's a scourge that has caused enormous harm to children's mental health. They were much better off without it.

anotherthreadlikethis · 22/05/2023 08:08

ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 20:04

I used to post photos of my son on social media, until I went to some training on children and autonomy/the Internet etc. It opened my eyes to the fact that I had created a digital footprint of my son without his consent, and posted 'cute' photos of him that he may find embarrassing as he gets older. I removed all photographs and won't post any more unless he wants me to when he's older. The training really struck a chord.

I've come across people either friends or 'influencer', that post all sorts, photos of kids in the bath with goggles on, photos of their kids in drama performances, photos of their kids upset or stressed for whatever reason, videos pranking their kids etc.

Does anyone else wonder what the effect of putting photos of our children's daily lives on the Internet might be?

I used to put pics of my kids online without even thinking about it 😳 but I've now removed them now. Even though my Facebook only has friends and family on it and is private it isn't right

I think these influencers who monetise their small kids who can't consent and post videos and pics of them every day are disgusting. as their accounts are open for all and sundry to see

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 22/05/2023 08:35

user1477391263 · 22/05/2023 07:50

Same here. I post the occasional 100% non-embarrassing picture of my child online and don’t worry about it much. I am also not sure that WhatsApp and similar are that much more secure.

Show quote history

WhatsApp is pretty secure as it is end to end encrypted at least.

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