Children are particularly vulnerable when it comes to maintaining their online safety due to their often lax attitude and limited understanding of the risks. It is very easy for a child to overshare personal information in video games or apps, often without realising the potential consequences. By educating your kids early on, you help them understand the significance of protecting their privacy in the digital world, which is not just a matter of personal safety but also a legal requirement under regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

When explaining digital privacy to children, it's fundamental to keep terms simple and relatable. Start by teaching them that basic personal information, such as their name, location, and pictures, should never be shared on websites or apps that ask for it. You can compare sharing such details to the idea of not talking to strangers—emphasising the need for caution.

As children grow older, more advanced concepts like the "digital footprint" can be introduced. Explain that nothing truly gets deleted on the internet, so they should be careful about what they post or share. Inform them that a negative online presence could impact future opportunities, including career prospects. This aligns with the principles of GDPR, which emphasises the importance of controlling and safeguarding personal data throughout one's digital life.

Given the early age at which children start using social media, it is critical to set boundaries as soon as possible. All social media platforms include privacy settings that allow users to control who can view their content. These settings should be activated and regularly reviewed for any child who insists on being active on social media. Explain that not using these settings could expose them to risks such as identity theft or unwanted attention.

As a parent, it is essential to create a safe space where your children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences with you. Encourage them to come to you with questions or if they encounter something online that they find troubling. Open communication will not only help them navigate the digital world more safely but also ensure that they understand their rights and responsibilities, reinforcing the importance of digital privacy throughout their lives.

While it is the duty of parents to teach their children how to protect their personal information online, they shouldn’t need to because digital platforms themselves have a legal obligation to safeguard user privacy. Many countries, including the EU under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the U.S. with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), have strict rules governing how companies collect, store, and use children's data. These laws are designed to ensure that platforms prioritise the safety and privacy of their younger users. They do this by requiring parental consent for data collection, which limits the amount of personal information collected, and offering clear privacy controls.

Online platforms and other apps are required to be transparent about their data collection practices. For example, under GDPR, companies must provide easy-to-understand privacy policies and give users the option to delete or control their data. Parents should be aware of these rights and regularly review the privacy policies of the platforms their children use. Understanding these legal protections empowers families to hold companies accountable, ensuring that their kids' data is treated with the care it deserves.

SOMI is actively holding these major digital platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Twitter (X) accountable for failing to meet their legal obligations to protect user privacy. Through ongoing lawsuits, SOMI is challenging these tech giants, which have been found to inadequately safeguard personal data and violate privacy laws such as the GDPR and DSA. These platforms often fail to secure proper consent, neglect to implement sufficient privacy controls, or collect excessive personal information without transparency. By taking legal action, SOMI aims to set a precedent, ensuring that these companies adhere to stricter privacy standards and prioritise the safety of vulnerable users.

Sources:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj

https://www.internetmatters.org/