Islamabad: Cybersecurity company Kaspersky has cautioned parents about the potential privacy and safety risks associated with sharing photos and videos of their children on social media, highlighting findings from its “Growing up online” survey.
According to the survey, nearly 48% of parents regularly post photos, videos or updates about their children online, reflecting the popularity of family content on social media platforms. However, the report notes that privacy settings and motivations behind such posts vary widely among parents.
While many parents restrict access to their content, the survey found that 72% limit visibility to friends, followers or extended social circles, whereas 28% maintain fully public accounts, making posts accessible to anyone on the internet.
Reasons parents share children’s content online
The survey shows that most parents share content featuring their children primarily to preserve memories. About 64% said they post to document family moments, while 42% said they share content because they are proud of their children’s achievements.
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Social influence also affects online behavior. Around 21% of parents admitted they post because others do the same, while 20% said they enjoy how they appear in photos or videos. In addition, 10% acknowledged sharing such content to gain more followers or increase engagement on social media.
The study also revealed that 59% of parents ask their children for permission before posting, but 20% said they still publish the content even if the child does not agree.
Concerns about digital footprint and privacy
Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky, said parents may find it difficult to distinguish between harmless sharing and content that could compromise a child’s privacy.
He noted that posts shared today can contribute to a permanent digital footprint, potentially exposing children to privacy risks in the future.
Experts warn that oversharing information about children may reveal sensitive details such as full names, dates of birth, school locations or daily routines, which could be exploited for identity theft, fraud, social engineering or other security risks.
Publicly available photos and videos may also be misused, altered or redistributed without consent, raising concerns about long-term reputational and safety implications.
Online safety recommendations
The cybersecurity firm advises parents to strengthen privacy settings on social media platforms and limit account visibility to trusted contacts.
Parents are also encouraged to enable security features such as two-factor authentication and strong passwords to protect personal accounts.
Experts recommend avoiding the sharing of sensitive information about children, including school names, contact details or daily routines, and maintaining open conversations with children about digital safety and responsible internet use.
Kaspersky also suggests using parental security tools, including its Kaspersky Premium solution with the Safe Kids module, which aims to help families monitor online activity and protect children’s digital presence.
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