Spain to regulate what photos, videos and data of children can be shared by parents on social media
The minister states that 'sharenting' practices can lead to psychological damage in childhood, encourage cyberbullying and give access to photos shared on paedophile websites
Spain's ministry of youth and childhood has started to draft a law that regulates 'sharenting' - the practice of parents sharing photos, videos and information about their children on social media and digital forums and platforms.
The regulation, which will set the limits and conditions for parents to protect the rights of children, will be open for public consultation in the next few days. The document, as minister Sira Rego has highlighted, explains the reasons behind the proposal and its objective. It will contain the deadline for citizens and organisations to send their ideas and opinions.
The new bill will have to be endorsed by Cabinet before it is sent to Parliament for debate and approval. It is drafted alongside the law for the protection of minors in digital environments, which bans minors from accessing social media before the age of 16.
With the public document, the ministry states that overexposure of children in the digital environment can have harmful consequences for the health, development and well-being of minors, including psychological damage such as depression or anxiety in cases where there is constant and continuous exposure over time.
The document also says that exposure of minors on social media is an increasingly common practice that is often carried out without the consent of children and adolescents. Experts who have drafted reports for the ministry highlight the prevalence of parents who turn into 'influencers' or content creators by using photos and videos of their minors as a source of income. In addition, 'sharenting' can encourage cyberbullying by third parties and give access to materials that are then easily shared on paedophile networks.
A must
The ministry believes it is essential to incorporate a specific regulation in relation to the general exposure of minors on social media. Minister Rego's department considers the regulation of 'sharenting' a must in order to guarantee protection and respect for the rights of minors.
On Tuesday, Rego is going to hold a meeting with a group of experts who have investigated 'sharenting' and with content creators who have expressed their concern over the practice.
