Kaspersky warns parents in the Middle East to avoid oversharing children’s details online, as it can expose kids to identity theft, exploitation, and digital harm.
DUBAI: In the age of digital parenting, many families use social media to share milestones, everyday stories, and cherished memories of their children. However, new research by Kaspersky highlights how oversharing can put children’s safety and privacy at risk.
According to Kaspersky’s “Growing Up Online” study, nearly 48% of parents in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa post photos or videos of their children online. Alarmingly, 57% also add personal details such as the child’s name (53%), geolocation (33%), or personal stories (37%). Even more concerning, 28% of parents share this information without any privacy restrictions, leaving it visible to strangers who could misuse it.
Parents most often post with positive intentions—to keep memories (64%), to celebrate achievements (42%), or to share with friends and relatives (29%). Yet, experts caution that such posts can inadvertently expose children to identity theft, stalking, bullying, or reputational harm later in life.
Kim Grobbelaar, Consumer Channel Manager at Kaspersky for the Middle East and Africa, explained: “It is difficult to determine the line between sharing and oversharing. But posting too much personal information can compromise children’s safety and digital footprint, potentially leading to embarrassment or resentment as they grow older.”
To help parents share responsibly, Kaspersky recommends three simple steps:
- Limit access to social media profiles, using privacy settings, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication.
- Avoid posting sensitive details such as school names, contact information, or personal images that may harm the child.
- Use security solutions like Kaspersky Premium, which includes Safe Kids tools to protect family data.
By adopting safe-sharing practices, parents can continue celebrating their children’s milestones online—without compromising safety.
