Generales

By Andrea Carolina Vargas Malagón, Journalist at UdeA Communications Office 

At first, a photo of a child in a pool may appear harmless. But once it’s shared online, it can quickly reach the wrong audience. From that moment, children and teens face dangers like cyberbullying, grooming, sextortion, and a loss of privacy. As their digital presence grows, so does their exposure to these risks. Constant visibility on social media can leave them open to harm and may disrupt their emotional and psychological development. 

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 In Colombia, children and adolescents spend an average of two to four hours a day online, mainly engaging in social interactions. Photo credit: Freepik. 
 
Videos of children saying amusing things, acting spontaneously, or getting into playful trouble often go viral on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. These moments, shared to spark laughter or affection, regularly attract thousands of likes and spread across the globe. While this trend may seem harmless in a society where social media shapes everyday interaction, constant online exposure—often driven or approved by parents or guardians—can put minors at risk. Over time, this visibility may disrupt their emotional, psychological, and social development. 

The loss of privacy is the first violation a child faces when an adult shares their identity on social media, especially without the consent of the parents, guardians, or even the child themselves. Although Colombian law doesn’t explicitly require the child’s consent, this lack of clarity raises significant concerns about their digital rights. 

“Parents must recognize that a child is not an object, possession, or property. A child is a subject of rights, with the ability to voice their opinions, the right to participate in decisions about their image, and the right to be fully informed about the potential consequences of being exposed on social media,” stated Lina Marcela Estrada Jaramillo, a Family Law expert and professor at both the Universidad de Antioquia and Pontificia Bolivariana University. 

“Parents must carefully weigh the best interests of their children against the risks of exposing their data online or on social media. They should prioritize the child’s voice, considering their age and maturity, and listen to their children when making decisions that directly affect them,” stated ruling T-245A/22 of the Colombian Constitutional Court. 

Attorney Jaramillo explains that sharing a photograph or video of a child reveals more than just their appearance; it also exposes private aspects of their life—such as their home, routines, and activities—creating potential risks for their safety and well-being. 

“Many well-intentioned parents remain unaware of the gravity of the situation. They believe their children are safe at home, think the dangers lie only in the streets, and fail to realize that the real threats—like thieves and predators—aren’t lurking in parks, but on social media,” said Julián de Zubiría Samper, director of the Alberto Merani Institute and an expert in education and child development. 

Sharing minors’ images on social media can attract a wide range of viewers, including adults with harmful intentions. Anonymity on the internet allows these individuals to approach children and adolescents, manipulate them, gain their trust, and ultimately involve them in dangerous behaviors. This process, known as grooming, typically begins with harmless conversations but can escalate to the exchange of explicit content or even lead to physical encounters. 

Jaramillo further stressed that we must fully understand the permanence of an individual’s digital footprint. Once uploaded, photos and videos can end up on sites with content unsuitable for minors and may lead to future complications. “In countries like Italy, for instance, courts have ruled in favor of children and adolescents who sued their parents for civil damages due to the unauthorized exposure of their images. In Colombia, the Constitutional Court has already addressed a similar case, acknowledged these new challenges and called for updated legislation,” he explained. 

Mental health is also at risk 

“Early exposure to social media distorts the fundamental goals of childhood and parenting—play, enjoyment, and learning—by placing a greater emphasis on social relationships and external validation. Likes, recognition, and validation take on an oversized role, which heightens the likelihood of anxiety and depression emerging at younger ages,” explained Jorge Guillermo Soto Vega, child and adolescent psychiatrist and professor at the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine at UdeA. 

Social media interactions often expose individuals to criticism, ridicule, and offensive comments. Without the proper tools to handle these challenges, such experiences can severely impact their self-esteem. As a result, exposing children to these digital environments increases their vulnerability to cyberbullying and can lead to deep insecurities about their self-image. 

The 2024 study "Risks and Opportunities of Internet Use for Children and Adolescents in Colombia,” conducted by Tigo in partnership with the University of the Andes and Aulas en Paz, revealed that 73% of the 5,718 minors surveyed across various regions of the country have a social media profile. Of these, 29% are aged 9 to 12, despite platforms explicitly stating in their terms that they are not for children under 13. 

On the impact of social media on self-perception, Julián de Zubiría emphasized that “children who grow up with excessive exposure to digital environments may struggle with a low tolerance for frustration, diminished resilience, and a fragile self-concept as they develop their identity, which can hinder their ability to interact with others.” 

A Shared Responsibility 

Ensuring the protection and rights of minors is not just the responsibility of parents; it is a collective duty that involves society and the state. As a result, many countries are updating their laws to better protect children’s rights and interests from the risks and challenges posed by digital environments. 

In France, for example, a proposed bill aims to prevent parents from posting photos of their children on social media without the children’s consent. The bill also requires that if one parent disagrees with sharing the images, the other parent cannot post them.  

The study Risks and Opportunities of Internet Use for Children and Adolescents in Colombia found that 27% of surveyed minors had face-to-face contact with someone they first met in a digital environment. 

Germany plans to ban social media for children under 16, with no exceptions for current users or parental consent. 

In Colombia, the Senate’s Sixth Committee has given initial approval to Bill 261 of 2024, known as the “Law for the Protection of Minors on Social Networks.” The bill aims to restrict children under 14 from accessing or creating social media accounts without explicit permission from their parents or guardians to safeguard their safety, health, and well-being in digital spaces. 

“Children need special protection because they are especially vulnerable to having their rights violated. It is a shared responsibility. If they’re deceived or exploited and adults fail to act, what kind of society are we building? While the State has a key role in regulation, it won’t take action unless society steps up and demands change,” De Zubiría concluded.