Protecting children’s privacy in digital age

It is no longer surprising to see parents share intimate moments and personal behaviours of their underage children on social media. While some may view these posts as harmless or even endearing, the implications of such actions go far beyond digital likes and comments. Increasingly, these acts expose children to cyber attacks, emotional harm, and […]

It is no longer surprising to see parents share intimate moments and personal behaviours of their underage children on social media. While some may view these posts as harmless or even endearing, the implications of such actions go far beyond digital likes and comments. Increasingly, these acts expose children to cyber attacks, emotional harm, and long-term reputational damage.

A recent incident in Nigeria illustrates this growing concern. A mother shared a video of her son—both he and the girl involved were under 12—confessing his feelings for a classmate. Instead of treating the moment with discretion, she followed up by publicly posting another video, this time with a voiceover in which she scolded the child. Her remarks suggested that the boy, by expressing affection for a girl, no longer valued his own mother. All this was captured and shared online, showcasing the child’s vulnerable reactions.

The question remains: how might this child feel years from now, seeing such a video resurface during adulthood or parenthood? The emotional toll and psychological vulnerability created by this public exposure are difficult to overstate.

Many parents today chase online engagement, often at the expense of their children’s dignity and privacy. What seems like a moment of humour or relatability can easily spiral into a child being ridiculed, bullied, or stigmatised—both now and in the future.

This trend, now pervasive and almost fashionable, has turned vulnerable childhood moments into viral content. Instead of being protectors, some parents are unwittingly becoming the first to violate their children’s right to privacy.

This incident feels more like a dramatised scene than real life, and yet, it reflects a grim reality: families—who should be a child’s safe haven—are sometimes the source of public shame. While parents are naturally the custodians of their children, their authority comes with boundaries.

The Nigerian Child Rights Act, under Section 1, makes it clear that the best interest of the child is paramount in all actions concerning them. Sections 3 to 18 of the Act enumerate specific rights, many of which are breached when parents expose their children to public scrutiny and ridicule online.

The child’s right to privacy, dignity, and protection from emotional abuse is enshrined in law. Sharing private and sensitive moments online  therefore amount to a clear violation of the Act.

The UNICEF Brief on Children and Online Privacy in the Digital Age underscores a child’s right to data protection and privacy. This includes the right not to be subjected to attacks on their reputation.

Similarly, the Child Rights International Network (CRIN) highlights the child’s right to be forgotten. This principle—explicitly adopted under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—grants children the power to erase harmful content from the internet. Such frameworks stress that children should retain sovereignty over their personal data and digital footprint.

Furthermore, Article 16 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) prohibits unlawful interference with a child’s privacy, honour, or reputation. It mandates that children be legally protected from such acts. When parents or guardians breach these rights, they not only damage the child’s sense of safety but also erode their psychological well-being.

It is imperative for parents, educators, policymakers, and society at large to reflect on the gravity of such digital transgressions. Children are not props for social media engagement—they are individuals with rights, dignity, and futures to protect.These rights are duly established by both domestic and international legal instruments and as such strict adherence to the provisions of these laws is mandatory, apt and not a mere wish.

We must collectively promote awareness, enforce adherence to  existing laws, and educate parents on the long-term implications of their online behaviour. The rights of children—especially in our increasingly digital world—must be safeguarded with utmost care. They are, after all, the bedrock of every society and community.

 

Barr. Maryam Ahmad Bornoma, Gender and Focal Officer, North-Eastern University Community Development Initiative, Gombe State, [email protected]