When a citizen is asked to verify their bank account, for example, they might be asked for details like the name of their school or their grandmother's name. If parents share such information about their children online, it could be collected and used by criminals to steal the child's identity later in life. Parents, often unknowingly, may not realize that by sharing information like their child's birth year, school, or even the name of a pet, they are making it easier for identity theft to occur.
Attorney Dr. Sunny Kalev, Head of Research at the Innovation and Policy Development Department in Israel’s Privacy Protection Authority, explains the risks following numerous incidents where parents post photos of their children or share seemingly harmless details like the name of their child’s school on social media. These actions, while well-intentioned, can put children at financial and personal risk.
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Parents tend to share information about their children unfamiliar with the risks involved
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Alongside the dangers of exposure to predators, there are also financial risks. A study by Barclays Bank found that parents’ oversharing online represents a "weak link" in the risk of online fraud and identity theft and that parents who share too much personal information about their children online are putting them at risk. The bank predicts that by 2030, a decade of over-sharing by parents could result in 7.4 million cases of identity theft annually.
The phenomenon of parents sharing details about their children on social media has been termed "sharenting" (a blend of "share" and "parenting"). This trend includes everything from technical information about children to sensitive moments and videos, often without the child’s consent. This can endanger the child’s safety and privacy, impacting their future.
The Privacy Protection Authority highlights that such exposure can create a digital footprint for the child, enabling companies to target them with ads or commercial products, and may even be accessed by harmful entities, opening the door to fraud and identity theft.
Why are parents unaware of the dangers when they post photos or details about their children online? Dr. Kalev explains, "They don’t know where this information may end up. Every image shared can end up on pornographic websites or in the hands of predators."
For instance, parents who share details about their child’s extracurricular activities—such as times and locations—could inadvertently make it easier for harmful individuals to contact the child. Additionally, commercial companies often use this data to target children with advertisements, and this information may even be shared with insurance companies, impacting the child's future insurance rates based on information posted by their parents.
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Dr. Kalev adds, "This information can also affect a child’s future opportunities. For example, if parents share sensitive information about a child’s behavior or health, it could resurface later in life, affecting the child's employment prospects or relationships with peers."
It is important to note that sharing information about one’s child as part of personal relationships isn’t inherently illegal, but the Privacy Protection Authority emphasizes that such disclosures should be done with caution, particularly on social media, where it may violate a child’s privacy without consent.
In 2018, an Italian court ruled in favor of a 16-year-old who sued his mother for sharing photos and information about him on Facebook without his consent. The court ordered her to pay a fine if she continued sharing such details. Similarly, a Norwegian appeals court ruled that a mother violated her daughter’s privacy by posting a video of her crying without her consent and ordered a fine.
Attorney Dr. Sunny KalevPhoto: Sharon VivanteThe Privacy Protection Authority offers the following recommendations for parents regarding sharing their children’s information online:
- Before sharing any information about your child, consider whether it could negatively impact their life or future. If it could, avoid posting it.
- Avoid sharing information that could enable harmful individuals to contact your child, such as location data, phone numbers, or interests.
- Be cautious with personal details like the child’s birth city, school name, parents' maiden names, or pet names—this information can be used to verify identity.
- If you choose to share information, involve your child in the process and let them know what you're posting.
- Share information in private messaging platforms (like WhatsApp) rather than on public social media platforms (such as Facebook or Instagram).
- If you must post on social media, consider using closed groups or private accounts rather than public ones.
- Avoid sharing information that could embarrass or harm your child’s reputation in the future. If you're unsure, consult with your child.
- When posting pictures, consider avoiding revealing your child’s face, especially on public platforms, and delete posts when they are no longer necessary.
- Do not share personal information about other people's children, including photos or videos, without their consent. If the child is a teenager, it’s best to get their approval too.
By being mindful of the impact of their posts, parents can help protect their children’s safety and privacy in the digital world.