The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) recently issued a warning to parents about the dangers of sharing their children’s academic achievements, such as certificates of merit, report cards, and other academic accomplishments, on social media.
While it is understandable for parents to feel proud of their children’s achievements, posting such information online can pose serious risks related to personal data exposure and cybersecurity threats.
Why shouldn’t parents boast about their children’s certificates online?
In reality, certificates of merit, report cards, and honors often contain a wealth of sensitive personal data, including full names, birthdates, school and class information, children’s photos, and even student IDs. This information can be exploited by malicious individuals for various illicit purposes.
Once a child’s personal data is exposed online, it becomes accessible to scammers and cybercriminals who can use it for fraud, identity theft, or even physical harm. There have been numerous incidents where parents received fraudulent calls demanding money for their child’s alleged accident or urgent school fees, preying on their fears and urgency.
Risks of child exploitation and psychological impact
Beyond fraud, publicly sharing academic achievements can also make children vulnerable to exploitation, including enticement, harassment, or having their images manipulated and used in inappropriate contexts, damaging their reputation.
In the digital age, personal data can be swiftly aggregated to create virtual profiles for illegal purposes. Even a single certificate image can reveal a child’s location, daily routines, and relationships—a threat that cannot be taken lightly.
Additionally, the pressure of social media cannot be overlooked. Children may feel embarrassed or stressed when their achievements are publicly compared or subjected to negative comments. Unmanaged academic pressure can adversely affect their mental health, happiness, and overall development.
How can parents safely share their children’s achievements?
HCDC advises parents to refrain from publicly posting their children’s certificates, report cards, or any documents containing personal information. If they wish to share their pride, parents should consider the following:
- Blur or conceal sensitive information such as full names, birthdates, class details, student IDs, and school names.
- Share within private groups consisting of close family and friends.
- Avoid publicly tagging children in social media posts.
- Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms.
Precautions when posting about children on social media
With the pervasive nature of social media, it is essential for adults to be cautious when sharing information about their children. This includes refraining from disclosing personal details such as agency or home addresses and school names. When posting photos, it is advisable to limit the frequency and avoid high-resolution images to protect children from potential predators.
Additionally, parents should respect their children’s privacy by refraining from oversharing. As children grow up, they may feel uncomfortable with certain information being made public. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a balance between sharing and respecting personal boundaries.
Ensuring the online safety of children is not just the responsibility of parents but also contributes to the healthy development of children in the digital age. Let’s start with the smallest actions—such as refraining from posting certificates—to protect our children from potential online dangers. Sharing love and pride responsibly is a priceless gift to our children in this digital era.
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