Social media has become a part of our daily lives. Everyone, including children, is using some form of social media platform. With social media comes the issue of privacy – something that children do not always have the best understanding of.

Parents must take the initiative to protect their children’s privacy on social media platforms.

Children’s personal information, especially sensitive personal information, should never be exposed to the public on social media platforms. The following are the risks of exposing children’s personal information on social media:.

Identity theft – sensitive information like Social Security Number, full name, address, and birthdate are all data that can be used to steal a child’s identity.
Cyberbullying – leaving traces of personal information on social media can make children more vulnerable to cyberbullying.
Predators – strangers often lurk on social media platforms with the intent of preying on minors by using their information.
Online reputation – leaving too much personal information on social media can impact a child’s reputation and future opportunities.

Here are the ways through which parents can protect their child’s privacy on social media platforms:.

Have a discussion about privacy

It is essential to have a conversation with your child about the importance of privacy. Discuss the risks of exposing too much personal information on social media.

Then, create a set of rules that your child should follow when using social media platforms.

Set profile settings to private

Ensure that your child’s social media accounts are set to private. This means that only people that they are following and have approved to follow them can see their posts and information.

Use pseudonyms or nicknames

You can encourage your child to use a pseudonym or a nickname on social media platforms rather than their full name. This will ensure that their full identity is not exposed.

Avoid sharing personal information

Tell your child to avoid sharing personal information on social media platforms – particularly Social Security Numbers, home address, phone number, and date of birth.

Limit sharing photos and videos

Encourage your child to avoid or limit sharing photos and videos that can identify their location, school, or home. Additionally, if your child wants to share their photos, ensure that the geotagging feature is turned off.

Monitor your child’s activities on social media

Supervise your child’s use of social media platforms. Keep tabs on who they are following, what they are posting, and their comments on others’ posts.

Review the apps that your child is using

Many social media apps collect data that can compromise your child’s privacy. As a parent, review the apps that your child is using and ensure that they are safe and secure.

For instance, investigate the app’s privacy policy or the type of data that they collect from their users.

Encourage two-factor authentication

You should help your child set up two-factor authentication for their social media accounts to ensure that their account is protected from unauthorized access.

Speak up when you see something wrong

If you find out that your child or any other minor is at risk when using social media platforms, speak up. Report the activity to the relevant authorities, and take action to limit the risks and prevent the activity from happening again.

Conclusion

Children’s privacy should be protected at all times, including when using social media platforms.

Parents can take the initiative to ensure that their child’s personal and sensitive information is not exposed, and their privacy is safeguarded. By implementing the aforementioned methods, parents can protect their children from identity theft, cyberbullying, predators, and other potential risks associated with social media.