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Kids Online: How to Protect Your Child’s Privacy in a Digital World

More and more people are sharing pictures and stories about their children online. At first, it may seem like harmless fun. But it can also come with risks. In some countries, this issue has already reached the courts. So what do we really know about children’s rights online, and how can we protect them? Experts discussed this topic at this year’s Opinion Festival in Estonia.

At the end of last week, Telia's Digital discussion area hosted a panel on this exact matter. The discussion was led by Kristi Paron, Senior Advisor at the Chancellor of Justice’s Office for Children and Youth. She was joined by Malle Hallimäe from the Child Protection Association, Iiris Velling, a child psychologist, and online police officers Getter Kamenski and Grete-Kelly Lipstok.

Sharing Online: Freedom or a Risk?

Social media has changed the way we share our lives with friends and family. But when it comes to posting about children, it raises some serious questions. Where is the line between a parent’s right to post and a child’s right to privacy?

In many cases, a child’s digital identity begins even before they are born. In the UK, one study found that the average child has about 1,300 photos of themselves online by age 13. Also, 70% of children say their parents don’t respect their privacy enough, and one-third say their parents have posted pictures they don’t like.

There have already been court cases in Austria and the Netherlands about this issue. Estonia’s goal is to raise awareness among parents and professionals to prevent similar problems in the future.

Why Do Parents Share?

According to child psychologist Iiris Velling, parents, especially mothers in the baby’s first six months, often post online to share their child’s growth and feel supported during an emotional time. Being at home can feel lonely, and sharing pictures helps them feel connected and proud. These posts often get a lot of likes and comments, which makes parents feel that what they’re sharing matters.

In fact, studies show that mothers who post about their children feel less lonely and are less likely to become depressed. So, there are also positive sides to sharing.

But Be Careful

Still, experts say it’s important to share wisely and with care. A child’s identity may start off closely tied to their parents’, but over time, it becomes more their own. If a parent’s online image of their child doesn’t match how the child sees themselves, it can damage their relationship.

Also, learning about consent and asking for permission is an important life skill. If children are never included in these decisions, they may not learn how to set boundaries for themselves or others later in life.

Online Dangers Are Real

Online police officers said they deal with child-related risks daily. New communication platforms appear all the time, and many parents don’t even know they exist. The more personal information and photos are online, the more chances there are for someone to use that content to bully or harm a child. Even years later.

One growing danger is artificial intelligence (AI). AI tools can be misused to create deepfake images, such as turning an innocent photo of a child into something inappropriate. All it takes is one picture for someone to create harmful content using AI.

This is why it's important to regularly review your social media settings and past posts. Social rules change over time, and cleaning up your online content is a good habit.

What’s Happening in Other Countries?

Some countries are already taking action. For example, France is updating its laws to better protect children’s images online. This includes clearer rules about how parents and institutions, like schools or kindergartens, can share children’s photos. In Estonia and many other countries, these types of laws are still in the early stages. For now, the focus is on raising awareness.

Even when schools or kindergartens ask for permission to post pictures, it’s still worth discussing what’s okay and what’s not.