Post Less, Stress Less!

Harish Dixit

Senior Infrastructure Manager – APAC

Linkedin

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Imagine your child’s digital footprint as a giant colouring book.

Now imagine strangers scribbling all over it with crayons you didn’t hand out.

That’s what parents sharing their kids’ photos and moments online can lead to. Commonly known as “sharenting”, it’s like giving out your kid’s school diary to the whole internet, complete with doodles, pet names, and birthday secrets.

In India, the average child has over 1,500 photos online by age five. That’s more than the number of laddus eaten at a wedding!

Just like laddus stick around like belly fat forever, these photos don’t disappear either. And that’s where the trouble begins.

Cyberbullies, identity thieves, and creepy AI tools are lurking like monsters under the digital bed. These images can be used to create fake profiles, mimic voices, or worse, generate disturbing content.

That’s not just a number; that’s a whole school full of kids at risk.

India’s laws are still playing catch-up. The IT Act, 2000 only slaps wrists for obscene content, not innocent oversharing.

And while the Constitution gives kids the right to privacy under Article 21, there’s no specific law stopping parents from turning their toddlers into online celebrities without consent.

So, next time you’re tempted to post your kid’s dance moves or messy lunch face, ask yourself: Would they want this online when they’re 16 and trying to impress someone at college?

Let’s not turn childhood into a viral meme. After all, even superheroes wear masks to protect their identity.

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Safe Sharenting Tips:

Ask before you post (if your child is old enough to say “no,” listen!)

Skip personal info like school names, birthdays, or home locations.

Use private accounts and double-check privacy settings.

Avoid tagging your child’s name or location.

Don’t overshare. One cute photo is enough. No need for a daily soap.

Teach kids digital boundaries early. Like “stranger danger,” but online.