Sharing is Not Always Caring: Kaspersky Warns Parents on the Risks of Posting Children’s Photos Online
As social media continues to dominate family interactions, new research from Kaspersky has revealed concerning trends in how Egyptian parents share information about their children online—often without realizing the potential risks.
According to the company’s Growing Up Online survey, nearly half of Egyptian parents (49%) admit to posting pictures, videos, or stories about their children on social media. Alarmingly, 69% include additional personal details such as the child’s name (61%), geolocation (23%), or anecdotes from their daily life (32%). Even more concerning, almost one-third (30%) of parents share these details with no privacy restrictions, making the content visible to anyone online.
While most parents act with good intentions—64% say they post to preserve memories, 42% to celebrate achievements, and 24% to update family and friends—the risks can be significant. Oversharing may expose children to identity theft, stalking, exploitation, or long-term reputational harm.
> “It is difficult to determine the line between sharing information that is safe and compromising a child’s safety. However, it is essential to resist the urge to share too much online,” said Kim Grobbelaar, Consumer Channel Manager in the Middle East and Africa at Kaspersky. “Sharing personal details can expose children to risks and affect their digital footprint, potentially leading to embarrassment, bullying, or resentment later in life.”
To help parents protect their children’s digital privacy, Kaspersky recommends:
1. Limit social media access – Set profiles to “friends only” and ensure those friends are known personally. Enable safety features such as two-factor authentication and strong passwords.
2. Avoid oversharing – Refrain from posting sensitive details like school names, contact information, or personal photos that could harm the child.
3. Use advanced protection tools – Consider solutions like Kaspersky Premium, which includes the Safe Kids module to help secure both family data and online activities.
With threats evolving rapidly through AI-driven scams and phishing, Kaspersky stresses the importance of digital mindfulness, encouraging parents to think twice before posting.