Protecting children's privacy in the age of social media: Assam police raises alarm on 'Sharenting'

In the era of social media, it has become commonplace for people to share pictures of their children across various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.

Parents often take pride in showcasing their children, highlighting unique aspects of their lives.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential risks associated with this practice, as cyber data hackers can exploit these images for evil purposes, including kidnapping and cyberbullying.

Recently, Assam Police issued a warning against a phenomenon called 'sharenting,' emphasising the need for caution.

In one such instance, an AI-generated visual depicted a child holding a trophy, accompanied by the caption, "Children are not social media trophies."

Another image showcased a girl child holding a smartphone, with the powerful words, "Snapshot of innocence, stolen by the internet."

One more image depicted a girl child standing with the same mobile phone, with the caption reminding viewers, "Do not trade their privacy for social media attention."

Lastly, a small boy holding a smartphone was featured, with the caption stating, "Your children's story, their choice to tell."

Through these thought-provoking visuals, Assam Police aims to raise awareness about the dangers of sharenting.

They highlighted that while receiving social media validation may be temporary, the digital scars from such practices can persist.

The tweet from Assam Police urged parents to be cautious, stating, "Shield your child from the perils of sharenting. Be mindful of what you share about your child on social media. #DontBeASharent."

The term "sharenting" describes the act of parents sharing sensitive information about their children on online platforms.

This behavior can expose children to the risks of digital kidnapping, cyberbullying, and potential exploitation by scammers and predators.

By sharing AI-generated pictures of children, Assam Police aimed to urge parents to prioritize their children's safety and protect them from the dangers of sharenting.

Likes fade, but the digital scars remain.

Shield your child from the perils of Sharenting.

Be mindful of what you share about your child on Social Media. #DontBeASharent pic.twitter.com/Z8oilz8PFR

— Assam Police (@assampolice) July 15, 2023