Dearest parents,
You might have heard of the term “digital footprint” before: It refers to the trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet. This can include everything from the websites and links you visit, your searches, the products you buy, the emails you send, the things you post or follow on social media, and the photos and videos you watch or share. It encompasses all the information that can somehow be found about you online, whether it's intentionally shared or unintentionally collected. This valuable data is harvested and sold by companies, for example in order to use it for targeted advertising – but there are other legal and illegal uses you should be aware of. I’ll write more about this in a future post.
Understandably, most expecting parents are super excited to share news about their pregnancy and the birth of their baby with their family and friends. However, many may not realise that in doing so, they initiate their child’s digital footprint even before their baby is born. How does this happen?
Pregnancy Announcements When parents announce their pregnancy on social media, they begin creating a digital record of their child's existence. This could be through posts, photos of ultrasound images, or updates about the pregnancy journey.
Sharing Ultrasound Images Many parents share ultrasound images on social media platforms. These images often include personal information such as the due date, the sex of the baby, and sometimes even the full name that is planned for the child.
Documenting the Pregnancy Journey Parents share updates about the pregnancy, health check-ups, baby bump photos, and milestones like the first kick. Each post adds to the child’s digital footprint.
Creating Online Registries Some parents create online baby registries or wish lists, which can include details about the baby’s expected arrival and other personal information.
Personal Blogs and Websites Some parents write blogs or create websites to document their pregnancy journey, which can include detailed personal narratives and photos.
Email Newsletters Sending out email updates to friends and family about the pregnancy can also contribute to the digital footprint if these emails are archived or shared further.
Social Media Profiles Some parents create social media profiles for their unborn child, intending to share every moment from birth onwards.
Starting a digital footprint before birth can have long-lasting implications. It means that by the time your child is born, there is already a wealth of information about them online. Unfortunately, this information can be difficult to control or erase later, potentially impacting your child's privacy and security.
Top 5 Privacy Risks Arising from Your Child's Digital Footprint:
Permanent Digital Record: Once information is shared online, it is often permanent. Even if a post is deleted, it may have been archived or copied elsewhere, making it difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Data Misuse: Information shared online can be harvested by companies and used for targeted advertising, sold to third parties, or used in other ways that parents did not intend or foresee.
Identity Theft: Personal information such as names, birthdates, and locations can be used by malicious actors to steal your child's identity. This can lead to financial fraud and long-term legal issues.
Lack of Consent: Children cannot consent to the sharing of their personal information. Decisions made by us parents today can have long-lasting implications on the child’s future privacy.
Privacy Settings and Data Security: Inadequate privacy settings on social media platforms can expose personal information to a wider audience than intended. Poor data security measures can also lead to breaches and unauthorised access.
There are also other risks concerning your child’s data, such as cyberbullying, digital exploitation, location tracking, etc. All of this can have serious consequences even later in life, such as affecting school admissions, job prospects, or personal relationships. Your child’s or teenager’s self-esteem and mental health are also a key concern. I will talk about this in detail in my upcoming blog posts.
Whilst this might sound worrying initially, there is a lot we can do as parents to manage these risks.
Here are my Top 5 Mitigation Strategies:
Thoughtful Sharing: Be mindful of what you share about your child and why. Avoid posting detailed personal information and sensitive images.
Privacy Settings: Use the highest privacy settings on social media platforms to control who can see your posts. Regularly review and update these settings.
Digital Literacy: Educate yourself and your child about digital footprints, privacy, and online safety. Be an example for your child and teach them how to use the internet responsibly.
Alternatives to Public Sharing: Share updates and photos through private channels like family-only groups, encrypted messaging apps, or good old (physical) photo albums.
Parental Controls: Use parental controls and monitoring tools to protect your child’s online activities and limit their exposure to risks.
There are also plenty of good resources online that help you do this. I’m in the process of adding a “Useful Resources” section to my website with a list of those – stay tuned!
By being aware of the mechanisms of the web and associated risk factors, we can make more informed decisions about what we share online and be proactive about protecting our children's digital identity right from the start, safeguarding their privacy and security.
I hope you found this article helpful. I’d love for you to get in touch with me to share your feedback and questions, or if you’d like some help on your way to creating more harmony and flow in your and your family’s life.
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Till next time!
Much love,
Anke x
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