Every parent knows the joy of sharing their child’s proudest moments, but when we upload these memories online, it raises important questions about privacy and safety. A viral TikTok video with over 530,000 views has sparked a heated discussion among parents about sharing images of their kids online.
The creator, Ruth—a mom and British health visitor—who posts under the account @RuthWattsHV—outlined in painstaking detail just how much she knows about a child she’s never met, thanks to photos, videos, and captions shared by the child’s parents on social media. Her takeaway? Parents should reconsider posting their kids’ faces online.
@ruthwattshv What’s your opinion on this? Let me know in the comments ❤️ #parenting #parentsoftiktok #parentingtips #mumsoftiktok #mumlife #mum #healthvisitor #responsiveparenting #gentleparenting #parentingtips #parentingrules #babytok #babyhacksandtips #gentleparentingtips #wholesomemomcontent #mumcontent #momcontentcreator #healthvisitor ♬ original sound – Ruth – Health Visitor and mum
For many, the video resonated on a personal level. One commenter, @Minniemorris, praised the video, saying, “This is the best thing I’ve EVER seen online,” while others felt an instant sense of validation in their cautious approach to social media. “As a new mum… this is exactly why the majority of people have no idea I even have a child,” shared commenter @Nikita Blackmore. “The people that matter will see him grow up in person, not fake friends through a screen.”
It’s a message that resonates in today’s tech-driven world, where artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted the landscape of digital privacy. But is it fearmongering or sound advice? Let’s unpack the issue.
How AI can impact your child’s privacy
AI tools can do incredible things—like creating lifelike art or automating daily tasks—but they also come with privacy risks when it comes to online sharing:
- Facial recognition technology: AI can now scan an image and match it to publicly available information, potentially creating a digital profile of your child.
- Deepfake risks: Manipulative tools can use images of children to create harmful, synthetic content.
- Predictive modeling: AI can piece together fragments of information (like location tags or routine details) to paint a shockingly complete picture of someone’s life.
These tools make it easier than ever for the wrong people to misuse innocently shared content.
What do the experts say?
Here’s what privacy and parenting organizations have to say on the topic:
- Consider the “digital tattoo.” A child’s digital footprint is permanent and can have long-lasting consequences, notes Common Sense Media, which advocates for healthy family media use. They suggest parents pause before sharing, considering whether their child might regret the content being online someday.
- Think like a stranger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) advises parents to be cautious about sharing personal details that could reveal a child’s location or daily routines when posting images online. They warn that even seemingly innocent content can attract unwanted attention.
- Private vs. public accounts. The Family Online Safety Institute points out that private accounts reduce risks but don’t eliminate them, noting that screenshots or content-sharing by trusted followers can still spread your child’s information beyond your intended audience.
- Get creative with privacy. Platforms like Tinybeans, a family photo-sharing app, offer secure ways to share moments with loved ones without putting them on the open internet.
Making preferences known to family and friends
One challenge many parents face is ensuring that family and friends respect their wishes about sharing their children’s images. Communicating preferences with family and friends about sharing children’s images can prevent unwanted posts.
By setting clear boundaries early on, you can avoid potential frustration, as shared by commenter @cxitlyn.whitehouse14: “Someone posted my newborn baby on Facebook before I had even announced his birth. I was so upset I don’t post anything with my son.” This type of boundary-setting helps others understand the importance of protecting children’s online presence.
Being mindful of sharing images with other children
When sharing photos online, it’s also important to consider any other children in the image. Some parents prefer their children’s images to remain private, and sharing group photos without consent can cause unintended issues. Commenter @Charlotte C expressed her frustration, noting, “What about other parents sharing other kids on [social media] without parents’ consent? I see it all the time; annoys the life out of me.”
It’s always best to communicate with other parents first, ensuring privacy preferences are respected. By setting and honoring these boundaries, we help foster a safer online environment for all children.
Are private accounts really safer?
The assumption is that private accounts are safer—but that’s not always true. While private profiles limit who can view your posts, they can still be screenshotted, shared, or hacked. Public accounts add additional risks by making your child’s face and details accessible to anyone online, increasing exposure to AI algorithms or malicious actors.
My personal take: Becoming more selective
As someone who shares about parenting online, this conversation hit close to home. I’ve become more selective with what I post—choosing to focus on moments that don’t include my kids’ faces or identifying details. It’s not about fear, but about making informed choices in an evolving digital world.
Options without judgment
If you’re rethinking your approach to sharing, here are some options to consider:
- Blur or cover faces. Many parents now use emojis or creative cropping to protect their child’s identity.
- Share with limits. Opt for private, invite-only platforms like Tinybeans or Google Photos for family sharing.
- Keep captions vague. Avoid sharing specific details like names, locations, or routines.
- Ask your child. For older kids, involve them in the decision-making process. How do they feel about having their image online?
At the end of the day, how you choose to share—or not share—your child’s image is a personal decision. But as technology continues to evolve, taking a moment to assess the risks is a step every parent can take toward keeping their kids safe.
