Czech authorities warn parents of online risks from sharing children's photos

Authorities and child safety advocates in the Czech Republic are warning parents about the risks of 'sharenting'—the excessive sharing of children's photos and personal information on social media.

The Police of the Czech Republic have released an awareness campaign highlighting how innocent photos of children, often shared during milestones like the first day of school, can be exploited by online predators. The police warn that images containing a child's name or school location can be used to track them, and once a photo is shared, parents lose control over its further distribution.

Supporting these warnings, a study by the Vodafone Foundation, conducted with Ipsos, reveals that 47% of parents boast about their children on social media, and 51% share information that could allow a child to be located. The research also notes a lack of consent, with only 11% of parents always asking their children for permission before posting, while 24% never do. Experts emphasize that these posts create a permanent digital footprint that can impact a child's future privacy and reputation.