When do online posts about children cross legal boundaries?
Social media platforms are a big part of our lives. Parents should be mindful of the content they post online, especially when it shows off their children.
While sharing cute anecdotes, pictures or videos of your kids can be a way to connect with friends and family, you should not cross certain boundaries. Some posts may constitute physical or sexual abuse.
Laws to protect the vulnerable online
Child exploitation laws exist to protect minors from any form of abuse, including online abuse. They prohibit these types of illegal, harmful content involving children.
1. Explicit content
Family members should not post explicit or sexual content that features children. This includes images or videos that depict any minor in an inappropriate manner. Such actions fall under child pornography laws, which carry severe penalties.
2. Non-consensual distribution
You should not share images or information of a child online without their consent. This is especially true for anything that could be embarrassing, invasive or damaging to the child’s reputation. Non-consensual distribution of such content can cause emotional harm. The family member who shared this content could face legal consequences, especially if they distributed nude photos of or explicit personal details about a minor.
3. Online grooming
Online grooming, which involves manipulating a child online for sexual purposes, is a serious offense. Parents should protect children from relatives and acquaintances contacting them with inappropriate online content and conversation. A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 11% of children have experienced image-based sexual abuse online.
Family members who publicly post images of children online could expose them to grooming by others. The JAMA study reported that 5.4% of minors have experienced online grooming from people in their lives.
Legal consequences of abusive online content
When parents post online content that falls into any of these categories, they may face legal consequences such as criminal charges, child protective services involvement or even loss of custody. These laws ensure the safety and well-being of minors in the digital age.
To avoid accusations of abusive online content involving children, take care when posting on social media. While you want to share milestones and connect with loved ones, be aware of appropriate boundaries. Protecting children’s privacy and well-being should be a parent’s top priority in the digital world.