The risks of posting photos of your children on social networks 

The arrival of children into the world is one of the happiest moments in a parent's life, and many want to share that happiness with the whole world. The social networks seem to be the perfect place to do so, since they allow us to share photos and details about our lives quickly and easily. However, there is a dark side to this seemingly innocuous practice. Posting photos of your children on social media can be very risky. In this article, we will discuss some of the risks of posting photos of your child on social media and how you can protect their privacy online.

Having pictures of the whole family is the most normal thing in the world, but where we used to have printed photos that filled albums or decorated homes, now we have one constant click after another that fills our mobile phone gallery and that we immediately upload and share. online.

An image that everyone recognises: the ultrasound of a foetus. A hashtag: #miprimerafoto. And a text that warns that this is Martín's first photo, but it won't be the last one his parents will share. 

This is how it all starts, a simple action that may seem innocent but can have serious consequences. of which we are unaware. 

Risks:

Sharing personal information

The most obvious risk of posting photos of your children on social media is that you are sharing personal information about them online. This means that any personincluding strangers, can view your children's photos and obtain information about them. This can be particularly dangerous if you share photos of them in vulnerable situations, such as at school, at the beach or at home. You should also bear in mind that these photos can be easily shared and replicated, which means that can be seen by many people around the world without your consent.

Future

Another risk is that it may affect your privacy in the future. The photos you post today can continue to exist in Internet for many yearsand may be accessible to people your children do not want to see them. This may affect their ability to get a job in the future or even to find a partner, as the photos may affect their public image.

Cybercrime 

In addition, posting pictures of your children on social media can be detrimental to their online safety. By posting images of your children online, you are sharing information about them that could be used by malicious individuals. For example, a criminal could use information from a photo to steal your identity or access your personal information. There is also a risk that a sexual predator use the shared information to locate and contact your child.

Psychological Level

Another risk of posting photos of your children on social media is that they can be detrimental to their self-esteem. When you share their photos online, you are creating a public image of them that can be difficult to maintain. If the photos don't get many "likes" or "likes" or positive commentsIf the comments are negative or cruel, your children may feel discouraged and belittled. Moreover, if the comments are negative or cruel, they can be detrimental to their self-esteem. and their self-image.

Right to privacy:

It should be recalled that the the right to privacy is enshrined in the Spanish Constitution, specifically in the Title 1 Fundamental Rights and Duties, Chapter Two "Rights and Freedoms", Section 1, Article 18(1) and is recognised in the Organic Law 1/1982 of 5 May 1982.. Therefore, the only thing we must do is to comply with the law and try to avoid infringing the rights of our children, who, however young they may be, we must not forget that our job is to ensure their safety. 

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) calls oversharing o sharenting the overexposure of personal information on the internet, in particular on social networking sites. In this sense, each family sets its own limits and rules in relation to the use of new technologies, so it would be more appropriate to speak in terms of good or bad. What is known is that sometimes parents are not always a source of support. In many countries, up to a third of children report that their parents have posted information about them on the internet without consulting them, and babies and young children are not even aware of this fact.

We must also recognise that there are two types of publications: those made by parents out of pride in their children and those made for financial motivation. It is very common for everyone to see on social networks mainly mothers talking about how much they like a certain brand of clothing or food while filming their children with such material. This can generate some controversy, as we should remember that the figure of the child actor on television has been in place for a long time and has specific protection in legislation, but the same does not apply to social networks.

In general, parents appear to be unconcerned about the fingerprint that we all leave behind on the Internet. This is virtually impossible to avoid because interacting online always leaves a trail, and this affects everyone, regardless of whether permission is given or not. Everything we share online, including our photos, personal details, emails, likes and dislikes, is recorded. For this reason, some people argue that parents should not interfere with their children's privacy, even if they do so in the name of the right to education, as this may be a violation of their dignity.

Right to self-image 

Did you know that posting an image of someone on social media involves the right to one's own image, even when it concerns minors? This fundamental right is regulated and protected by the Constitution. The decision to publish photos of children on social networks is a parental responsibility belonging to both parentsindependent of custody. In Spain, the Organic Law 3/2018, on the Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rightsThe law states that the publication of images of children under the age of 14 requires the consent of the holders of parental authority, i.e. both parents. However, from the age of 14, minors themselves can give or withdraw their consent.

If a parent so requests and the judge considers that the published images are an intrusion into the child's privacy, he or she can order the removal of the publications. In addition, the Public Prosecutor's Office can also act in defence of the child by requesting the removal of all content and even by filing a lawsuit on the guardianship of the child. the right to honour, privacy and the right to one's own image in defence and representation of the minor. Unlike an adult, the decision to publish images The child's personal data must be taken by both parents, as overexposure on the networks may negatively affect their future life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, posting photos of your children on social media can be very risky. Sharing personal information about them online can put them at risk from predators, affect their privacy and self-esteem, and damage their public image in the future. 

If you decide to share photos of your children online, make sure they are protected and follow these tips to reduce the risks and keep your children safe.