Parents love to share their kids’ pictures on Instagram; there’s even a new term, “sharenting,” used to describe parents who actively share their kids’ digital identities online. Most parents will post 1,500 photos of their child before they turn five. And many post pictures using hashtags like #pottytraining, #nakedkids and #kidsbathing. While this might seem cute and increase likes, it overexposes children by showcasing private moments that shouldn’t be shared with a large audience, making them vulnerable to pedophiles and sex offenders; specifically, these 100+ hashtags serve as flags on social media leading predators to pictures of children.
As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Child Rescue Coalition (CRC) – a nonprofit organization that enables law enforcement to track, arrest and prosecute child predators – is launching a movement to help kids reclaim their right to privacy online. Launching on April 3, the @kidsforprivacy movement will flood more than 100+ hashtags that overexpose kids on Instagram with pictures of kids holding “Privacy Please” signs.
In addition, CRC created an educational hub on Instagram called @kidsforprivacy where parents can learn about the dangers of overexposing theirs kids on social media and get tips on how to protect their kids’ privacy online.
People are encouraged to join the @KidsForPrivacy movement by creating their own “Privacy Please” signs and posting images online using hashtags in the takeover.
“The potential harm in over-sharing private moments far outweighs the benefits, as social media is now a digital playground for dangerous pedophiles to steal and turn innocent photos of children into exploitative content with irreversible and lasting damage,” shared Carly Yoost, Founder and CEO of Child Rescue Coalition. “The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children and their privacy in the age of social media as we are finding that online predators are getting more aggressive in their pursuit of these images.”
The campaign, which will run through April 27, was created in partnership with LA-based David&Goliath.
