Images turned into weapons

Sharing photos or videos of children on social media has become a common practice for many parents. While some do it for enjoyment, others seek popularity or financial gain. However, such content also carries serious risks.

Once content is uploaded to the internet, control over it is almost entirely lost. A child’s photo or video can be copied, manipulated, turned into photomontages, or used for blackmail and threats. In practice, teenagers often face cyberbullying, insults, and mockery, which can place them under severe psychological pressure and, in some cases, push them toward criminal behavior. There have been instances in which photos of 14–15-year-old girls were used for blackmail through obscene photomontages. Such pressure can lead to the most tragic consequences, including suicide.

In addition, children’s images that circulate freely online are at high risk of becoming “easy prey” for individuals with sexual intent. According to UNICEF, one in three internet users worldwide is a child. Cases of “grooming,” in which perpetrators use fake accounts to gain children’s trust and obtain personal information or images, are on the rise.

Posting images of children while they are crying, frightened, or embarrassed can also lead to ridicule and harassment in the future. Psychologists note that such situations can increase feelings of insecurity, social withdrawal, and emotional distress in children.

Smartphones are a reality of modern life, but protecting children from harmful content and malicious individuals is, first and foremost, the responsibility of parents. A single photo shared today for likes may cast a shadow over a child’s entire future tomorrow. The internet does not forget, and childhood deserves protection.

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