Nairobi News

School going children are currently home for midterm break. For the past six days, they have been unwinding, lounging in front of the television and on phones, traveling, catching up with friends and family or undergoing tuition. Obviously, now that there are about two days remaining before they head back to the classrooms, you are eager to spend as much time as possible with them- especially if they are in boarding schools- and your camera is your friend in these times.

You want to capture those special moments with them during the vacation, during the trip to the malls and eateries, shopping; and hair and barber shops. These photos will keep you company until they close school in August when you can wrap them in your arms again. And because they are so precious to you and bring you immense joy, you feel that you can’t keep this joy to yourself. So you post them online with the sweetest captions about your mini-mes, telling folks about that day in particular and what your child is all about.

Bu wait…did you think twice before posting your child online? Yes, you are the adult and you know what you are doing but did you think about the risks and potential dangers of sharing photos and videos of them with friends and strangers on the same platform? Nairobi News cites six risks and concerns you probably didn’t consider before you published those photos and videos online:

1. Privacy and safety concerns- Sharing images and personal details of young children can compromise their privacy and expose them to potential risks. Strangers may have access to their photos, locations and other sensitive information which can be exploited for various purposes.
2. Online exploitation and grooming- Posting pictures of children can make them vulnerable to online predators who may use the images for inappropriate purposes or engage in grooming behavior. These individuals may collect and manipulate the shared content, posing a threat to the child’s safety.
3. Cyberbullying and harassment- Once children’s pictures and personal information are posted online, they can be subject to cyberbullying, trolling or harassment. The internet can be an unkind and unforgiving place; and children may become targets of negative or hurtful comments, leading to emotional distress and self-esteem issues.
4. Identity theft and fraud- Posting personal information about young children such as their full names, birth dates or locations can increase the risk of identity theft or fraud. Malicious individuals can exploit this information to impersonate the child or commit fraudulent activities using their identity.
5. Future reputation and consent- Once information or images are posted online, it can be challenging to control their spread or remove them entirely. As children grow older, they may be concerned about the potential impact of their childhood photos or personal details on their future reputation, relationships or career prospects.
6. Unwanted attention and stalking- Sharing information about children online can attract unwanted attention from strangers, including stalkers. Personal information such as the child’s school, daily routines or hobbies can provide valuable details to individuals with malicious intent.

Parents and guardians must carefully consider the potential risks before posting about their young children online and make it their priority to ensure their safety. Limit the amount of personal information shared, adjust privacy settings on social media platforms and think critically about the potential consequences before sharing anything related to children online.

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