I agree with her. Children may not want images of themselves posted for all sorts of very good reasons - they don't like the photo, it can be misused, they feel exposed and vulnerable, it may lead to abusive comments, it's an invasion of privacy, or their parents are being presumptious.
It seems obvious to me that children should actively consent to images on social media, and their agreement shouldn't be taken for granted. And if they're too young to give meaningful consent - then don't post.
I think the same applies to anything you write about them, especially whatever might embarrass them.
It's all very well saying, but people want to know how my children are getting on, and posting photos is a way of letting them know. If my children object, aren't they just being over-sensitive and awkward?
No, they aren't. They can probably imagine all sorts of negative consequences that the doting parent simply hasn't thought about.
Image theft is very common. People can steal a child's image and then claim the child as their own. They can use the image for child pornography. They can use it in all sorts of inappropriate ways.
Little details on a post can identify the child, where they live and what school they go to, and complete strangers can locate them and prey on them.
In this age of widespread social media abuse, I'm surprised parents still casually post photos and stories of their kids as if it's a charming and harmless thing to do. They ignore the risks at their peril.
Pic: Leah Hardy (without her children!)
I think it is quite unwise for people to post identifiable pictures of their nearest and dearest on social media. You never know who is out there. I can't see any particular problem with posting pictures of anonymous people doing ordinary things though.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you, Nick. Had the internet been around when I was a teenager I wouldn't have liked it if my parents had slapped my mug all over FB etc.
ReplyDeleteSx
I will not post photographs of children and also advice others not to.
ReplyDeleteJenny: I know people who do often post photos including their children, but they seem to come to no harm. They're mostly teenagers so probably there's less risk than there is to younger children.
ReplyDeleteMs Scarlet: Me neither. I shudder to think how the mean-minded pupils at my boarding school might have responded to them.
Ramana: Very wise. Who knows how they're going to be used once they're floating around the global internet?
ReplyDeletei cringe at so much of the baby/child stuff but I think if we are rigid about our posts - i.e. you can see them and set privacy settings than that should protect. But then who knows with so many snooping on our privacy and even conversations. I've had weird stuff happen.
ReplyDeleteI don't show any photos of the youngsters in my life much as I'd like to as I am biased as to gorgeousness.
I sent the photos to parents privately to do with as they will and interestingly they never put them on line.
XO
WWW
The privacy settings when sharing pictures of kids should be only to specific people, family or friends.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do an google image search of our grand-kids' names I should be able to find little or nothing. That's the case for our grandson. Our granddaughter, on the other hand, has lots of pictures out there. Only one that I've found is from when she is little. Most of the images have been intentionally shared by her, though, on Instagram..., intentionally...., from her Rock Agency portfolio. She is an aspiring teen fashion model.
www: I don't entirely trust the privacy settings. As you say, weird stuff happens and I'm sure experienced hackers can get into our Facebook pages despite any privacy settings.
ReplyDeleteMike: What I said to www about privacy settings. Yes, if the kids want to post photos of themselves, that's a different matter. But they still have to brace themselves for undesirable consequences - especially if they're female.
I no longer post photos of anyone, including myself, on FB or Instagram and I have deleted most of my FB photos. It's too bad because I do enjoy catching up with relatives and friends that way, but there are just too many weirdos out there, like you said.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: It's easy to forget that if you post something online then potentially (despite privacy settings) it's available to anyone in the world with a computer, and they can do anything they like with it. Very different from just showing the photo album to a few friends or relatives, as we used to do a few decades ago.
ReplyDeleteMy sister-in-law just posted a picture of her brand new grandson. But, he look generic baby so it didn't feel risky to me until she added his full name. I'm pretty sure that site is only available to family, though. Her oldest son often posts pictures of his kids but he just calls them eldest, middle child, and danger monkey. I think his blog is private as well but I don't really know. Our daughter will be 50 this years so I don't think there's any danger there anymore but I still don't post her picture although I do talk about her.
ReplyDeleteI post pictures of Kaitin, Torben, and Andy, but I have their permission. It's only polite to ask and to honor the answer.
ReplyDeletetotally agree. I posted humorous things Jacob said occasionally but never without his parents' permission. the world is different now. too many dangers.
ReplyDeleteI used to ask permission of parents and children. Then I mostly quit using pictures, as times grew darker.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Supposedly photos on private settings can't be seen by anyone else, but there are some very clever hackers out there and I wouldn't rely on anything being truly private.
ReplyDeleteJean: Fair enough. You've asked them for permission.
Tammy: "The world is different now. Too many dangers". Unfortunately that's the reality.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Times have indeed grown darker. There are some very creepy people out there.
I ask my kids first, especially with facebook where people who see them might actually know them. And I've told my own mother she isn't allowed to post a photo of me without my consent.
ReplyDeleteAgent: All very sensible. There's too much of what you might call image promiscuity nowadays, posting photos by the dozen regardless of the possible consequences.
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