On September 2nd, hundreds of thousands of photos of children will be taken all over Poland. From their first trip with a backpack to school, from being welcomed into the classroom, with teachers, parents and friends. Some of them will end up on the internet.
Beach, beautiful weather, and the last day of vacation. More than one parent grabbed their phone on Sunday and took a picture of their child, which they then posted on the Internet.
– We have a three-year-old baby, so I don't think it should be like this – comments Mrs. Olga, who does not share photos of her child. – We don't know who is on the other side, we don't know who is watching and for what purpose – she adds.
There is even a term called “sharenting”, which means parents publishing content on the internet often and thoughtlessly, with their children in the lead role. The shared photos can then be used in various ways.
– A collection may be set up using our child's photo, which will simply be untrue, it will be an extortion of money – points out Aleksandra Rodzewicz, an expert from the Educational Research Institute and creator of the “facetka_z_poradni” profile.
Other consequences include hate, cyberbullying, digital identity theft, and pedophilia. As the Media Forum Foundation points out, in times when artificial intelligence allows for any use of photographs and videos for any purpose, concerns about children's safety seem particularly justified.
– In times when artificial intelligence allows for any use of photo and video materials for any purpose, including by haters or, worse, sexual predators, concerns about the safety of children seem particularly justified – he says.
– We must be prepared for the fact that this wave of new technology, which is AI, unfortunately also brings negative consequences – warns Adrian Kilar, an artificial intelligence specialist.
What should parents know first?
– Reflection, think before you share something. This is something I would really encourage – says Aleksandra Rodzewicz.
A large group of people do not do this. According to the Teenagers 3.0 report, almost every second respondent declares that their parents or guardians post photos of them on social media.
– I appeal to everyone, to schools, to parents, to be careful, to remember that everything that is found on the Internet, remains there forever – emphasizes Katarzyna Lubnauer, Deputy Minister of National Education from the Civic Coalition.
It is worth reminding about this now – before the first bell. Before the schools' websites are filled with photos of students. Importantly – they can be published sensibly. A guide with examples can be found on the website of the Office for Personal Data Protection.
– We can publish only part of the image, the shoes, the backpack, create some kind of collage that will not reveal the full identity of the child – suggests Zyta Czechowska, special education teacher, Teacher of the Year 2019.
It is also worth talking about this topic with children. Both at school and at home.
Main image source: TVN24/AI Generated