Think Before You Share: Protecting Your Child's Digital Privacy

In a thought-provoking video, Naomi Brockwell TV addresses the critical issue of children's digital privacy in the age of "sharenting."

[YouTube]

The video offers eight key recommendations for parents to safeguard their children's digital privacy:

• Stop oversharing: Be mindful of the information you share about your child online, especially on platforms that profit from engagement. Share photos and personal anecdotes directly with those intended, using secure methods like Signal stories or end-to-end encrypted sharing.
• Be cautious of spyware apps: Understand that using these apps means not only you, but also the app company and potentially others, can access your child's messages and photos. Consider if exposing your child's sensitive information to third parties is worth the risk. Prioritize open dialogue and trust with your child.
• Teach consent early: Help your child understand that their biometric data, thoughts, and personal information belong to them. Make digital consent a family value .
• Use aliases and VoIP numbers: When creating accounts for your child, use aliases and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) numbers to avoid linking their real identity across platforms.
• Audit hand-me-down devices: If giving your child an old phone or tablet, reset it completely. Remove trackers and reinstall only necessary apps.
• Avoid invasive apps: Steer clear of apps that require excessive permissions or collect more data than necessary.
• Set boundaries with family: Ask relatives not to post photos of your child online.
• Ask hard questions: Inquire about data collection practices at your child's school.

These steps are about ensuring children's safety and giving them the freedom to grow without being defined by a digital record they didn't create. My Streaming Life includes being mindful of what I share online, and I hope this video helps other parents do the same.