Don’t post or share photos of your children on social media, CNIL advises

Posting photos and videos of your children on social networks may seem innocent, but it carries many risks. Therefore, the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) recommends not sharing pictures and videos of minors online, especially when your profile is public.

The French data protection authority (DPA) points to the many dangers of publicly sharing photos and videos of children and grandchildren on social media.

For example, a child’s image can be misused for malicious purposes, such as launching fake profiles, spreading it on child pornography networks, or creating deepfakes. Pictures can also be used to fuel cyberbullying.

In addition, an image that’s been posted on social media can reveal extra information about a child, including information on the time and location when the photo was taken, a child’s interests, or places he frequently visits.

But most importantly, creating a digital identity can harm a child in the long run. “Photographs and videos shared by parents can deprive children of their ability to define their own image and identity. They can damage their online reputation and have negative impacts in a school setting or in their personal and professional future,” CNIL says in a press release that was published on Monday.

To prevent any accidents or mishaps online, the French privacy supervisor advises sharing photos and videos of a child through secure instant private messaging apps, email, or MMS. Parents also ought to ask for consent from their children before posting it online.

Another option is to hide a child’s face to protect his or her privacy, for example, by adding an emoticon to their face before posting. Lastly, parents should change the visibility of their social media accounts to private instead of public. That way, only friends and family can enjoy the photos of their kids.

“Photos and videos of your children are personal data. Keep in mind that your minor child has digital rights to his data. It even benefits from reinforced protection,” the DPA reminds parents. The supervisor even notes that children can take action against their parents if they don’t respect their wishes.

The CNIL refers to a case that dates back to 2018. At the time, a 16-year-old teenager from Italy filed a complaint against his mother for violating his privacy. The court in Rome ordered the child’s mother to stop posting photos of her son on social media, or face a fine.