con the term Sharinga neologism that derives from the union of the word share (share) e parenting (parenthood), refers to a widespread practice i.e. that of share photos of your children on social networks. However, underestimating, if not completely ignoring, what the consequences may be.
From the identity theft to child pornographyIndeed, they hide behind what appears to be an innocent habit numerous pitfalls which is important to know to protect the safety of the little ones.
Sharenting: some data
According to one European studyreported by Italian Society of Pediatricsevery year parents share an average of 300 photos online concerning their children. By their fifth birthday, they’ve already shared nearly 1,000. Where are they shared? There first destination seems to be Facebook where 54% of the images end up, followed by Instagram (16%) and Twitter (12%). While unintentional, this growing phenomenon can expose children to several, serious risks: give it sexual exploitation to digital abduction, not to mention future emotional distress. Sharing images, videos and any type of content starring children means, in fact, build the “digital dossier” of a child without your consent and without your knowledge. As also pointed out by Save The Children, moreover, the excessive disclosure of information concerning children not only involves the parents, but often also relatives and friendsi, a factor that ends up amplifying the phenomenon even more.
Sharenting: the proposals
In France one has already arrived in Parliament law proposal which aims to limit the sharing of photos of children online. And in Italy? In our country already last November, the Guarantor for Childhood and Adolescence Carla Garlatti urged that the rule already contained in the law be extended to the phenomenon of sharenting law on the cyberbullying which allows the minor to obtain the removal of images.
Sharenting: the new study
To take stock of the phenomenon of sharenting is now also one study already available online and in the process of being published, in the magazine Journal of Pediatrics, of the European Pediatrics Association, of which he is the first author Professor Peter FerraraHead of the Study Group for the rights of the child of the Italian Society of Pediatrics.
Also cited in the study is a recent work according to which, on average, 81% of children living in western countries have some online presence before the age of 2, a percentage which in the USA is equal to 92%, while in Europe it stands at 73%. Recent data shows that within a few weeks of birth, 33% of children have their own photos and information posted online. Not only: even before natural birtha growing number of children born ‘digitally’. In fact, it is also estimated that a quarter of children have some kind of online presence before they are born: in the United States, 34% of parents he routinely posts ultrasound scans onlinea percentage which in Italy stands at 15%.
What motivates you to share images
As already pointed out, the habit of sharing your children’s photos online is based on absolutely innocent intentions, like the desire to document the growth of the children, share anxieties and worries, search for information in the educational, pediatric or school fields. The three types of photos that are most published are in fact those that portray moments of daily life (while the child sleeps, plays, eats), of outings or trips and special momentsas the birthday or first day of school.
The risks
“Parents often don’t think that what is shared on social media, sometimes even very personal and detailed, dangerously exposes children to a series of risks, first of all identity theft” – explains Pietro Ferrara. – “Not to mention that intimate and personal information, which should remain private, in addition to the risk of be misused by others, can be a cause of embarrassment for the child once he becomes an adult (e.g. in job interviews, university entrance tests). Finally, this type of parental sharing can inadvertently take away children’s right to determine their own identity. In a survey of Swedish children published in 2020 it emerged that, almost unanimously, children wanted permission to be asked before taking or sharing pictures of themselves.
The norms
“In our legal system – Pietro Ferrara points out – the image of the person is protected by various laws. The copyright law which provides that no portrait of a person may be exhibited without the latter’s consent; article 10 of the civil code, which allows the request to remove an image that damages the dignity of a person with the consequent possibility of compensation for damages. However, it should also be highlighted regulatory ambiguity which protect the image as we speak of ‘consent of the interested party’ which, in the case of a minor, must be offered by his legal representative (article 316 of the Civil Code), i.e. the parent”.
Sharenting: the risk of child pornography
Father using a smart phone to take a photo of his son on his first day at school
Among the most worrying risks of social sharing of private content is that that such contents end up on child pornography sites. A risk that seems to be documented. An investigation conducted by the Australian eSafety Commission indeed, he pointed out how about 50% of the material present on these sites comes from social media where it was previously shared by mostly unknowing users.
Protect personal data
The guarantor for the protection of personal data GDPR has made available a vademecum to limit the risks of sharenting. If parents decide to publish pictures of their children, it is important that they at least try to respect some precautions. Between these, make the child’s face unrecognizable (for example, using graphics programs to “pixelate” faces, also available free online or using simple emoticons), themimic the visibility settings images on social media only to people who know each other, avoid creating a social account dedicated to the minor and read and understand the privacy policies of the social networks to which we upload photographs, videos, etc.
Advice for parents
“Paediatricians are central figures in making parents aware of the dangers associated with online sharing – also stated the SIP President Annamaria Staiano. – To protect the privacy of children, the families can be explained what the possible defensive strategies are. It is important to support mothers and fathers, balancing the natural inclination to proudly share their children’s progress with information on the risks associated with the practice of sharenting”.
In the gallery i suggestions for parents provided by the Italian Society of Pediatrics.
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