Nowadays, many parents share photos and videos of their children on social media. They often show glimpses of school functions, vacations, birthday celebrations, achievements, or special everyday moments. But have you ever wondered if these photos and videos could be a threat to children’s safety? In reality, once a photo or video is uploaded to the internet, we no longer have control over it. Anyone can misuse them. In the era of AI and deepfake technology, this risk has increased even further. Sometimes, a small detail present in a photo (such as the child’s or school’s name and location) can become a major weapon for criminals. In view of this danger, the Assam Police recently issued an advisory regarding the online safety of children. The ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’ (I4C) has also appealed to schools and parents to exercise caution while sharing information related to children on social media. Therefore, in ‘Cyber Literacy’, today we will talk about children’s online safety. We will also learn about- Expert: Rahul Mishra, Cyber Security Advisor, Uttar Pradesh Police Question: How common is it to share children’s photos on social media? Answer: Understand this through these pointers- According to McAfee’s 2018 ‘The Age of Consent’ survey, most parents in India share their children’s photos on social media despite being aware of online privacy and potential risks. According to the survey- Question: Is it safe to share children’s photos online? Answer: It cannot be considered completely safe. Along with the photo, the child’s name, school, location, or other details can become public. There is always a risk of misuse in the future. Question: What are the cyber risks of sharing children’s photos online? Answer: Fraudsters can misuse a child’s identity, location, or other personal details through this. See all the risks in the graphic. Question: Should no photos of children ever be shared? Answer: That is not the case, but it is necessary to be cautious. Always share photos by keeping privacy settings to ‘Private’ or ‘Only Friends’. Also, avoid sharing pictures that reveal the child’s identity, location, school, health, or personal details. Question: Which details of children should not be shared? Answer: During this time, ensure that no personal details of the child (such as school, home address, or full name) are visible in the photo. Also, ensure the background is safe and that only trusted people are included in your friend list. See the graphic to know which details related to children should not be shared. Question: Can posting photos/videos of children by schools also be risky? Answer: Yes, school social media pages are often public. In such cases, scammers can find out a child’s personal details, their timings, and daily routine from here. This increases the risk of incidents like kidnapping. Therefore, schools should prioritize the privacy and safety of children. Question: What precautions should schools take? Answer: Schools should create a clear social media policy with the consent of parents. Additionally, content should be posted responsibly. School management should keep in mind the points given in the graphic- Question: Why should report cards, admit cards, or identity-related documents not be shared? Answer: These documents contain sensitive information such as the child’s full name, date of birth, parents’ names, and roll number. Cybercriminals can use this to commit fraud. Question: Why should parents think about their children’s digital privacy? Answer: Children are not yet adults, and their safety is the responsibility of their parents. Therefore, parents should always keep in mind that a post you make today can affect your child’s reputation, safety, and private life in the future. Question: What is a digital footprint? Can a photo once uploaded stay on the internet forever? Answer: The record created by information shared on the internet is called a ‘digital footprint’. It is almost impossible to completely erase a photo uploaded to the internet. Even if you delete it, someone else could have downloaded, saved, or reshared it. Therefore, one should only share online posts assuming they are permanent. Question: What is a geotag and why can it be dangerous? Answer: A geotag is location information attached to a photo/video. It can reveal where the picture was taken. If a geotag is present in children’s photos, a stranger could track the location of the child’s home, school, or other places. Therefore, it is important to check location settings before sharing photos. Question: Why have the risks of sharing children’s photos increased in the era of AI? Answer: With the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, any ordinary photo can now be turned into a deepfake video or offensive images (AI morphing), which is extremely frightening. Question: How can parents identify if someone is taking an unusual interest in their children’s photos? Answer: Be alert if an unknown person does the following- Question: Can photos shared on social media lead to cyberbullying? Answer: Yes, someone can use them to mock the child or harass the child online. This can cause the child to suffer from mental stress. Question: What is the right to privacy for children? Answer: The ‘Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), 2023’ provides special protection for children’s digital privacy. The Act includes provisions that- Note: These provisions of the DPDP Act related to children will come into effect from May 13, 2027. Question: Which pictures of children should never be posted online? Answer: Never share these pictures of children online- Question: What questions should you ask yourself before sharing photos of children? Answer: Before sharing any post related to a child, ask yourself these five questions- Question- What to do if the photo is misused? Answer: Immediately ‘report’ the photo on the social media platform. Take screenshots as evidence. File a complaint at the cyber cell of your local police station. Question: Where to report cybercrime? Answer: For this, you can immediately call the cybercrime toll-free helpline number 1930 to register a complaint. You can also file a complaint online at the portal www.cybercrime.gov.in. Question: How can parents increase their children’s online security? Answer: Just as children are taught about ‘good touch-bad touch’, they should also be taught about ‘safe-unsafe online’. See the easy tips for online safety in the graphic- Question: What is the golden rule for keeping children’s digital identity safe? Answer: Cybersecurity advisor Rahul Mishra says, “Think twice before posting anything.” Do not compromise a child’s safety for a few ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ on social media. Children’s privacy should always be paramount.
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