Why Do Many Parents Start Covering Their Kid's Faces on Social Media?

Parents can now instantly share almost everything on social media. However, some parents hesitate to share their children's faces on social media as they think sharing too much information can be dangerous. Parents want to protect their children from the online world for as long as they can, per Baby Gaga.

Not only ordinary parents can experience these thoughts but also celebrities like Kristen Bell. She uses emojis to cover her children's faces in the photo she shares on social media for the same reason. She wants her kids to make their own choices as much as possible. The "The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window" star said that she chose a career in the public eye; she decided to have her picture taken but doesn't know if her children want that set up as well, and she doesn't have the right to choose for them.

The children's rights advocates also urge parents to think twice before sharing any information about their kids, especially their photos. There could be a conflict between the kids' right to privacy and their parents' right to posts. However, experts suggest asking the child whether they want their photos to be shared on the internet or not, as it lets them have the necessary feeling of respect and parental support. It also helps children to develop their private and public identities.

Posting any kid's information, including photos, invades their privacy

Some moms and dads prefer to hide kids' faces because they never know who will look at the children's photos and how other people can use such information. Although parents don't have bad intentions while sharing photos, some people may use them and share them with others in a way parents would never even think of.

As a parent, you want to ensure your kid's safety as much as possible, as social media can also be a platform for others to spread hate and bullying.

Thus, parents must not provide any sensitive information that could be the reason for the child becoming a target of any harassment and bullying on social media. Parents should be able to identify possible instances of potential bullying.

Dr. Kirsty Goodwin revealed that 50 percent of images shared on pedophile sites had been taken from parents' social media sites. When parents share photos of kids on social media, it falls under the Psychological Risk category, breaching privacy and sharing embarrassing information that may appear misappropriated to others. Also, it falls under Privacy Risks which mainly concerns identity theft, per Sitters.

Keeping your kid's photo secured

At the end of the day, sharing kids' photos is a divisive issue. Therefore, as a parent, you need to choose what you believe is right for your family and bear in mind to put the proper privacy and permissions in place if you share.

Very Well Family suggests also telling your family members and friends that you don't want your kid's photo to be shared, so they will also avoid sharing your child's photo and the information in it.