Rati was an influencer, renowned for her glamorous lifestyle and impeccable beauty. Rati’s social media posts were a window into her world, filled with luxurious cosmetics and envy-inducing outfits. Her followers admired her, aspiring to emulate her flawless appearance.
When Rati became a mother, her priorities shifted. Eager to share every aspect of her life with her followers, Rati began incorporating her baby into her posts. At first, it was innocent enough – sweet snapshots of motherhood, showcasing adorable baby clothes and nursery decor.
But as time went on, Rati’s content took a different turn. She saw an opportunity and started accepting paid partnerships with baby product companies. Diapers, formula, toys – her child became the unwitting face of it all.
Unaware of the world beyond his mother’s camera lens, the child grew up surrounded by lights, cameras, and strangers. He smiled and cooed on cue, blissfully ignorant of the true nature of his mother’s intentions. He was just a baby, after all, with no concept of fame or fortune.
Years passed, and the child began to understand the reality of his situation. He saw himself on different posts, his face synonymous with diapers and baby food. His friends at school started to notice too, teasing him mercilessly about his “famous” status.
At first, the child brushed off the jokes, trying to laugh along with his classmates. But as the taunts continued, he couldn’t shake the feeling of embarrassment and shame. He felt like a spectacle, a pawn in his mother’s quest for social media stardom.
Day by day, the weight of his mother’s actions grew heavier on his young shoulders. He became withdrawn and introverted, retreating into himself to escape the scrutiny of the outside world. He was scared to face his peers, terrified of being judged for something he had never asked for.
Finally, one day, the child reached his breaking point. He confronted his mother, tears streaming down his cheeks as he poured out his heart. He begged her to stop using him as a prop, to see him for who he truly was – not a model, but a child longing for love and acceptance.
Rati was stunned by her son’s words, realizing for the first time the harm she had caused. She held him close, apologizing profusely for her actions. Together, they vowed to start anew, to build a life based on honesty and integrity rather than fame and fortune.
And as they embarked on their journey of healing, the child found solace in the knowledge that he was more than just a product to be bought and sold. He was a person, with dreams and desires of his own, and he refused to let anyone exploit his innocence ever again.
This is fictional but what if it’s a reality of some????
Taking permission before posting a child’s pictures or videos on social media is not just important; it’s crucial. Children have a right to privacy and autonomy over their own image and online presence.
Just like adults, children have a right to privacy. Posting their images without their consent violates this right and can make them feel exposed or uncomfortable. Sharing a child’s pictures or videos online without permission can expose them to potential risks, such as online predators or identity theft. It’s important to consider the potential consequences of making a child’s information publicly available. Once something is posted on the internet, it can be challenging to remove it entirely. Images or videos shared without consent could potentially follow a child into adulthood, affecting their personal and professional lives. Respecting a child’s autonomy by seeking their permission before posting demonstrates trust and respect in the parent-child relationship. It teaches them about consent and digital boundaries.
Whether children under 18 should be on social media, it’s a complex issue with no one-size-fits-all answer. Social media can help children stay connected with friends and family, especially those who may be geographically distant. Social media can provide educational resources, creative outlets, and opportunities for skill development.
But at the same time risk is much higher. Children may be exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or grooming by online predators. Excessive use of social media has been linked to negative effects on mental health, such as increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Children may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information online, leading to potential privacy breaches or identity theft.
Ultimately, whether a child should be on social media depends on various factors, including their age, maturity level, and the specific platforms they’re using. Parents and guardians should carefully consider these factors and actively supervise their child’s online activities to ensure their safety and well-being. While children can certainly participate in influencer activities, it’s crucial to approach this with caution and prioritize the child’s best interests. Parents and guardians should consider the child’s age, maturity, and understanding, and ensure that they have the necessary support and protection in place to navigate the complexities of social media influencer culture. It’s important to obtain consent from the child before sharing any content involving them and to respect their boundaries and preferences regarding their online presence.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.
Imagemakeover 
Such an important issue, especially with all the validation people are seeking from social platforms. Its just sad and heartbreaking.
In recent times, people have started talking more openly about mental health but this aspect was never covered. I’m glad you did.
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I am sure the story is true for many kids out there as there is a surge on influencers of late. So scary!
But what a nice topic to write on Swati… totally relevant! I have two daughters and sometimes I secretly share their ‘forgotten’ toddler videos on whatsapp with friends and family… they fiercely object if I ask them… esp. my elder one… she doesn’t even let me share group pics in which she is there.
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I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to respect children’s autonomy in the digital age. I have stopped posting my son’s pictures & videos online without taking his consent. Even when I make videos, I ask him if he wants to be a part of it or not, if he says no then it’s a no even if that means saying no to the brand collaboration. Children deserve privacy and protection and as adults, we must prioritize their well-being above everything else.
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You have shed much-needed focus on this debatable topic. Internet is no more a luxury and even teachers expect kids to use it to do research and print pictures for projects, so one cannot deny access to social media. Consent is something tricky too. A young child can be easily molded and may not know what is right and what is wrong for them, they trust their parents’ judgment.
Yes, we need to use our discretion to give age-appropriate access and should educate them about their rights on social media.
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Wow swati Swati, writing about this is spot-on! I am sure this story will resonate with many.
I’ve got a teenager at home, and getting him to snap a pic is like pulling teeth. I always promise not to share it with anyone, and that usually does the trick. Respecting kids’ privacy is super important, especially with social media blowing up. We need to be more thoughtful about it.
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This post is a reminder of the importance of consent and the potential impact on a child’s well-being. Balancing public exposure with personal privacy is crucial, emphasizing that behind every post, there’s a real person with feelings and a future.
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So many parents posts pictures of their children online. It’s so important to respect the privacy of children, especially in this digital age where everything stays forever. Parents need to be careful about what they post online. Thanks for bringing attention to this important issue!
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What an apt post. I don’t have children, but yes, the perils are high. Social media is a circus and you learn to navigate it slowly, taking this into account, children should certainly be schooled into the process and not pushed. Talking and taking their permission should be mandatory. Social media certainly leads to a high level of anxiety.
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What an apt post. I don’t have children, but yes, the perils are high. Social media is a circus and you learn to navigate it slowly, taking this into account, children should certainly be schooled into the process and not pushed. Talking and taking their permission should be mandatory. Social media certainly leads to a high level of anxiety.
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T blog advocates for responsible parenting and ethical practices in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children’s rights and safety above all else. It serves as a reminder to approach social media use with caution and mindfulness, especially when it involves children.
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Your post is a reality check for all of us. Knowingly or unknowingly we do post our kid’s pictures online. The fiction story you have said is so scary.
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This is the sad and dangerous reality of most mom influencers, isn’t it? Taking permission from the child, never thought of it that way. But of course it makes complete sense. I always thought and wondered how creating content with children must be affecting their young and developing minds. Reading this post only proved my worst fears on how bad it must be, if not done correctly or with the child’s know-how on the subject/content creation. Great post on how one needs to be careful about the repercussions of online content.
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This is an important topic and I guess for everyone to keep in mind and not only influencers. Most people share their children’s videos and pictures on social media. But I think at some point they would need to start taking consent from their children. For instance I often blog about parenting and include incidents with my kids and their pictures. They are small now, but I will not be doing this without their consent later. I wrote a post about my elder son and only posted it publicly after asking him.
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very important topic Swati. Influencer using their child as a prop. Such parents harming kids privacy and bachapan also. I do like to share but very rare. My elder one don’t want to share anything about her on social media and i respect that. Building a memory is different things and doing business because of kid is different. Yes it affects on kids mental health.
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This is such an important post. Day after day, I see influencers sharing their child’s life publicly. They might be kids but they have a right to consent too. Not just the child’s mental health, they are putting their life in danger.
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The prevalence of influencers in today’s media landscape undoubtedly resonates with countless children, making this story all the more alarming. I sometimes feel irritated watching reels on instagram where mother is promoting baby products, amley stores, toys, perambulators, walkers and what not related to baby or kid with the toddler and even some young kids. The mothers are making their kids young actors without letting them know the real meaning of the expressions they are showing and how the rest of the world is taking or reacting to it. My view is it’s great to be an influencer and mom influencer but not at the cost of the emotions and future of the budding flower who still dont know how the world will accept it. A very good topic you picked and I am glad you did.
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i often wonder the cons of mommy blogging. Mommy bloggers are accused of monetising their kids. It’s not false of course. But their privacy and consent should be our utmost priority.
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this is a much needed topic. Being an influencer, I do go through scripts once check withu daughter and then proceed. Consent seeking is always a good step
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This is the top-notch post I read today and thanks for writing this. How I wish this reaches parents who knowing or unknowingly doing this to their children.
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How I wish this reaches parents who do this to their children knowingly or unknowingly they are making their child’s privacy a rarity.
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Sadly I see so many influencers take this route as they become parents. It is toxic and there seems to be no end in sight, people on social media are chasing likes and views without this kind of deep thought into how they may be affecting the child and their psyche.
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This is so crucial topic nowadays where parents are dragging their kids in reality shows or making them influencers by making their videos. Though it provides money and fame for sometime but it snatches the innocence and privacy of young kids. Every parent has their own opinion of looking into this matter but consent of kids is essential that they don’t regret their decision later.
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You pointed out such important issue so bluntly. These days rise of influencers are ok but using babies are really not accepted , as these causes a lot of problems. Thanks for highlighting this issue
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I completely agree though it can be tough to completely keep children away from our social media feeds.
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