WHY IT MATTERS
Children featured extensively online may eventually attend school alongside peers who can search years of their childhood footage. Videos that once seemed cute or funny can become material for teasing, humiliation or bullying.
1. THINK ABOUT THE SCHOOL YEARS
Today’s toddler video may eventually be watched by teenage classmates.
2. DON’T POST HUMILIATING MOMENTS
Embarrassing footage provides obvious material for teasing.
3. KEEP TOILETING PRIVATE
Bathroom and potty-training content can become particularly humiliating later.
4. PROTECT TANTRUMS AND MELTDOWNS
Emotional moments shouldn’t become searchable entertainment.
5. DON’T PUBLISH EMBARRASSING NICKNAMES
Childhood jokes can follow children into school.
6. PROTECT MEDICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL INFORMATION
Peers don’t need access to a child’s private history.
7. REVIEW CONTENT BEFORE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Reconsider older uploads as children approach adolescence.
8. LISTEN TO THE CHILD
If they are embarrassed by existing content, take that concern seriously.
9. REMOVE WHAT YOU CAN
Deleting or privatizing old material may reduce future exposure, even though copies may remain elsewhere.
10. THINK LIKE A CLASSMATE
Before uploading, ask how another child could use the footage five or ten years from now.
BOTTOM LINE
The audience watching a cute childhood video today could include the classmates using it against the child tomorrow.