Digital safety experts urge parental precautions for children on social media

As children access social media at increasingly younger ages, experts and commentators are highlighting the growing need for digital safety measures and parental oversight.

Cybersecurity professionals warn that once a child's photo or video is uploaded, control over that content is largely lost due to potential screenshots, downloads, and resharing. Alev Akkoyunlu, Operations Director at Laykon Bilişim, emphasizes the danger of EXIF metadata embedded in smartphone photos, which can reveal sensitive locations such as homes or schools. To mitigate these risks, experts recommend disabling location tags, configuring social media accounts to private modes, and educating children on the permanence of their digital footprint.

Parallel discussions in Turkey focus on the legal and social implications of digital content. There are calls for stronger regulations to protect children from age-inappropriate content and discussions regarding the rights of parents to take legal action against platforms that fail to safeguard minors from harmful digital influences.