When we prepare for a baby so much of it is the physical\u2014the bassinet, swaddles, diapers, bottles, teeny-tiny clothes\u2014but the reality is we\u2019re also building their digital footprint. In today\u2019s digital age, even a simple birth announcement could unknowingly set your child up for identity theft, so it\u2019s vital to set boundaries for your little one’s online presence from the start\u2014something we call digital nesting.<\/p>\n
Digital Nesting<\/strong> (noun): The practice of preparing and establishing digital boundaries and safety measures for a child before or shortly after their arrival.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in a different stage of technology right now where we\u2019re all aware of the digital footprints that we create,\u201d explains internet safety expert Katie Greer<\/a>. \u201cWhen we start these footprints for them when they\u2019re babies, they have no say in what is put out there; something that may be cute or funny to us at the time may horrify them later.\u201d You\u2019ve probably read about the backlash to sharenting<\/a> (parental oversharing) or heard the kids of influencers speak out about their struggles.<\/p>\n So how do you protect your baby\u2019s safety and their future? We gathered expert tips to help kick off your digital nesting.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to speak openly and honestly about what boundaries and rules you want to set around your child’s digital identity and exposure. Making these decisions early helps you avoid oversharing or parental friction. If you’ve decided not to post your kids’ photos or personal details online, your extended family and friends should know so they’re aligned too.<\/p>\n Skip the personal details:<\/strong> Refrain from sharing your baby\u2019s full name, date of birth, or health information online. These details can be used in ways you can\u2019t control later.<\/p>\n Turn off geotagging:<\/strong> Take a pass on location or venue check-ins,\u00a0 especially at spots your child visits regularly, like daycare, kindergarten, school, local parks, or coffee shops.<\/p>\n Cover up any identifiers:<\/strong> Cover up uniforms<\/a> and blur out logos of any institution on clothing that could track your kiddo to a specific daycare, kindergarten, or school.<\/p>\n Choose private platforms<\/strong>: Social media can be a risky place to share your baby\u2019s highlights and milestones. Consider a secure app like Tinybeans<\/a>! We’re trusted by millions of parents thanks to our strict privacy settings, so you can share precious moments safely with just family and close friends and know that you have complete ownership of your photos.<\/p>\n Think before you post:<\/strong> Once a picture is online, you can’t control where it goes. \u201cThere\u2019s no magic tool that can wipe a photo or video off the internet forever,\u201d says Greer. \u201cWe can delete it in certain places, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not somewhere else.\u201d AI and other technologies may use your baby\u2019s image without your consent.<\/p>\n Consider your baby’s future:<\/strong> They can\u2019t consent to you posting that tushie shot or bathtime nudes. \u201cI think one of the biggest mistakes is putting out pictures of kids without their clothes on,\u201d cautions Greer. They may be cute, but in the wrong hands, they can be devastating, so be selective about how much of your life you put online. Remember: your baby\u2019s privacy matters more than likes.<\/p>\n Spam responsibly:<\/strong> We completely understand the urge to share every goofy smile and tiptoed toddle with close family\u2014just be sure you’re doing it somewhere that feels safe.\u00a0 Plus, you aren\u2019t the only one who will want to share baby\u2019s adorable face with the world, so communicate your boundaries with all the gushing grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who might get share-happy, too.<\/p>\n Stay updated:<\/strong> Be mindful of the fact that anyone can see your social posts if your account is public. \u201cPrivacy settings are a must!\u201d stresses Greer. \u201cSo many people don\u2019t use them and share tremendously personal information.\u201d But even if your account is private, social media platforms often change their privacy settings and policies, so regularly review your account settings to ensure your posts remain private and only visible to your selected audience.<\/p>\n App permissions:<\/strong> Check what permissions you\u2019ve granted to apps, especially photo-sharing and social media platforms. Limit access to things like your camera roll and location unless absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n This generation of parents is the first to have had social media accounts since they were at high school or university\u2014that\u2019s a lot of acquaintances we\u2019ve collected along the way! If you do share life updates on social media regularly, audit who you\u2019re friends with or who\u2019s following you. Even if your account is on private, someone you met once, 20 years ago doesn\u2019t need to see details of your life now.<\/p>\n Related: My Insta “Friends” Are Mostly Stranger Now\u2014And As a Mom, It’s Weirding Me Out<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Watch for suspicious activity:<\/strong> Be cautious of any emails or messages that ask for personal information about your baby or family. Cybercriminals often target new parents with scams, so stay vigilant. \u201cA good rule of thumb is: if you didn\u2019t expect it, don\u2019t go clicking around,\u201d says Greer.<\/p>\n Use strong, unique passwords for all your social media and photo-sharing accounts. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.<\/p>\n Family accounts:<\/strong> Ensure that any family members you share photos with also use strong passwords and secure their accounts properly.<\/p>\n Teach digital safety from day one:<\/strong> As your child grows, talk openly about what\u2019s safe to share online. \u201cFrom a very young age, we can set good examples and have really great conversations about how, when, and why we use technology,\u201d says Greer. Guide them in spotting dangers<\/a> and understanding who they can trust online.<\/p>\n Related: 10 Things Kids Should NEVER Do Online<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It’s OK to pivot:<\/strong> If you started sharing publicly but now feel uneasy about it, know that it\u2019s okay to change your approach. Your child\u2019s safety and your peace of mind come first.<\/p>\n Set healthy boundaries:<\/strong> Keep adjusting your digital habits<\/a> as your kiddo grows. You’re their role model for how they build a relationship with tech, so be mindful of the example you set.<\/p>\n If your toddler or child is on a digital device (let\u2019s face it, they will!) make sure your devices, apps, and programs have child locks or settings. For example, you can find safety settings for Alexa, YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and more.<\/p>\n Related: 11 Fun Toddler Apps Parents Can Feel Good About<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t let your kids know the password to your phone as it automatically creates a permission structure to access content, apps, and games.<\/p>\n Digital Footprint:<\/strong> Remember, what you post today could impact your child later in life. Be mindful of creating a digital footprint that respects their future privacy and choices.<\/p>\n Ask permission:<\/strong> As your child grows, involve them in decisions about what you share online. \u201cIt\u2019s a great practice! It gets the kids involved in their digital reputation and also teaches them how we should respect others.\u201d Teaching them about consent as early as possible will help them understand the importance of controlling their digital presence and the fact that others will want to do the same.<\/p>\n1. Get digitally aligned<\/h2>\n
2. Share mindfully<\/h2>\n
3. Be selective about photos<\/h2>\n
4. Regularly review privacy settings<\/h2>\n
5. Audit your social media<\/h2>\n
6. Beware of scams and phishing<\/h2>\n
7. Create strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication<\/h2>\n
8. Mentor, monitor, and adapt<\/h2>\n
9. Use age-appropriate tech controls and settings<\/h2>\n
10.\u00a0 Consider consent and future impacts<\/h2>\n