Parents are securing email addresses, domain names, and social media handles for their children to control their digital footprints and provide a robust online presence.
A unique digital identity is considered essential due to uncertainty about the future and the potential value of a strong online presence.
Privacy concerns and ethical dilemmas arise when starting a child's digital footprint at a young age, including potential disagreements when handing over control of social media accounts.
There are calls for stricter regulations on kids' access to social media, with concerns about potential infringement on civil liberties and First Amendment rights.
The relationship between technology and child-rearing will continue to strengthen, as parents navigate the complexities of their children's digital identities.
As technology and the digital world continue to expand, parents are finding it essential to invest in their children’s digital futures.
This includes securing email addresses, domain names, and social media handles for their offspring, often before they are even born.
In an age where children spend more and more time online, parents are looking for ways to control their children’s digital footprints while also providing them with a robust online presence that they can take ownership of as they grow up.
The Importance of a Child’s Digital Identity
Parents like Nick Kratsas, who created an email account for his newborn daughter Sophie back in 2014, recognize the importance of a unique digital identity.
Noticing the scarcity of unclaimed email addresses with a person’s full name, Kratsas secured his daughter’s email address just hours after her birth.
He later created a Facebook profile for her as well, intending to pass on these accounts and their digital histories when she comes of age.
This trend of securing digital identities for children is driven by parents’ understanding of the future’s uncertainty and the potential value of a robust online presence.
Frances Corry, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center on Digital Culture and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, explains that parents’ approach to their children’s social media presence is often informed by their own experiences growing up with the technology.
Frances Corry, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center on Digital Culture and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, explains that parents’ approach to their children’s social media presence is often informed by their own experiences growing up with the technology.
Privacy Concerns and Ethical Dilemmas
Starting a child’s digital footprint at a young age raises privacy concerns.
While email accounts are not public-facing, posting pictures of children on social media can create ethical dilemmas.
Stephen Balkam, the founder of the nonprofit Family Online Safety Institute, advises parents to keep their children’s online presence “tight” to protect their privacy.
As children grow up, parents may face unexpected challenges when handing over control of their social media accounts.
For instance, some children may not identify with the digital identities their parents have created for them, potentially leading to the deletion of entire online histories.
Stricter Regulations for Kids on Social Media
Concerns over the effects of social media on children have led to calls for stricter regulations.
Earlier this year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated that he believed children under the age of 14 should not have access to social media.
This sentiment was echoed by the state of Utah, which recently passed two bills dramatically restricting kids’ access to social-media platforms.
The civil liberties implications of these restrictions, however, are significant.
For instance, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that bills like those in Utah would restrict teenagers’ ability to explore and form their own opinions on a variety of topics without parental involvement.
In addition, such legislation raises questions about how governments can regulate social media without infringing upon First Amendment rights and creating logistical difficulties for both social media companies and users.
The Future of Children’s Digital Identities
As parents continue to navigate the complexities of their children’s digital identities, it is clear that the relationship between technology and child-rearing will only grow stronger.
While the future of social media and its impact on children remains uncertain, the importance of a unique and secure digital identity is becoming increasingly apparent.
For parents like Kratsas, the potential benefits of securing their child’s digital footprint early on far outweigh the drawbacks, as it provides an opportunity to help shape and manage their child’s online presence.
