Today, parents often share a grainy sonogram image before birth to create a digital record of their child. Children may already be covered in hundreds of pictures in cyberspace by the time they are old enough to open their social media accounts.
Many parents choose not to document their child’s milestones on social media. They may post no photos of their child or only photos in which their child’s face is not visible. Parents often block out-group images of children, or they request not to be photographed.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Antonio Guillem
Erin Wilkey Oh, Common Sense Media’s family and community engagement director, said posting pictures of kids online also leaves a digital footprint. Lastly, parents might want companies not to collect information about their children, creating a data trail for the rest of their lives.
Media Psychology Research Center director Pamela Rutledge said that posting images online is not risk-free. It increases the risk of bullying and stalking, or even predators, although rare.
Don’t Let Family Or Friends Post Photos Of Your Child
Parents or caregivers of newborns or older children who wish to keep their images private can request that photos not be shared. Some family members or friends may feel disappointed or judged if you refuse to share their photos. It may feel uncomfortable to ask this question.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff
When Should The Request Be Made
Wilkey Oh said most people post photos of their kids on social media without thinking twice. Instead of waiting until an image is shared, she recommended making the request upfront. Wilkey Oh suggested sending a group text to your friends and family if you have just welcomed your first child. A message saying, “We are not going to publish any pictures of our baby until they can consent.” is a good idea.
You Can Also Offer Alternatives To Sharing
Wilkey Oh suggested you “have some alternative sharing methods in place to share special moments that a child experiences.” These could include group messaging or a private photo-sharing site. In this way, family members can easily share images without being concerned about them being posted online.