Let’s keep our children off social media

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OPINION

By Jackline Turinayo Baganizi

There is a common saying that “social media doesn’t forget.” In today’s digital age, where every moment is captured and instantly shared online, it is crucial that we pause and reflect on how our actions as parents, guardians, and adults may impact the lives of our children—now and in the future.

While platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) can be exciting, entertaining, and even financially rewarding, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to protect the innocence and privacy of our young children. It is paramount that we shield them from the spotlight, especially when they are too young to understand, let alone consent to, what is being shared about them.

Recently, a story went viral on X involving a Ugandan baby who enjoys yoghurt. Her photos gained massive traction, and before long, the baby’s father—along with various influencers—began advocating for the child to become an ambassador for JESA Farm Dairy. To many, this seemed like a feel-good story: a spontaneous, adorable moment leading to a brand partnership.

But behind the smiles and hashtags lies a more complex question: has anyone considered how this child might feel about this viral attention years from now? Will she be proud of being internet-famous as a toddler, or will she feel embarrassed, mocked, or exposed for how she ate, how she looked, or simply for being made a public figure without her consent?

Sadly, those who spoke out against this kind of exposure, urging caution and offering thoughtful advice, were quickly labeled “enemies of progress.” This kind of backlash reflects a troubling societal shift—one where short-term online validation is often prioritised over long-term wellbeing.

We must not forget that the internet is forever. What seems cute and harmless today may become a source of shame, ridicule, or emotional distress in the future. Teenagers already face overwhelming pressure to fit in, to conform, and to be accepted. A digital trail left behind by well-meaning parents can amplify these pressures. Photos, videos, and captions once uploaded cannot be easily erased or forgotten, especially when they go viral. As much as social media users like to say, “We listen but we don’t judge,” the reality is far different. Online judgment can be brutal—relentless even—and children, who never asked to be online in the first place, often pay the price.

Take, for example, a young Ugandan influencer who regularly shares TikTok videos of her toddler performing dances and comedy skits. While these videos draw thousands of views and bring in significant engagement, they have also attracted harsh, hurtful comments. Strangers have mocked the child’s pronunciation, weight, and mannerisms. What began as light-hearted content has now become a source of digital vulnerability. The child has essentially been thrust into a public identity without the maturity or understanding to navigate it. That digital identity may follow them for the rest of their life.

The most critical issue is the violation of privacy. Children are not in a position to give informed consent about what is shared about them. Yet, many of their life moments—from bath time to tantrums to first steps—are broadcast to the world. These posts, however well-intentioned, become permanent records. In the future, they may affect the child’s self-esteem, mental health, friendships, and even professional opportunities.

Secondly, there's the growing danger of exploitation. With the monetisation of social media content, some parents—intentionally or unintentionally—turn their children into content machines. There is increasing pressure to keep creating, to stay relevant, and to gain likes, views, and brand deals. In this hustle, the child’s wellbeing may be overlooked. Their comfort, dignity, and emotional needs become secondary to online success.

This issue becomes even more problematic in situations of parental conflict. In Uganda, we’ve seen cases where couples, once united in posting about their children, go through breakups or separations. Sadly, in these scenarios, the children’s photos are often used as weapons—either to gain sympathy, shame the other parent, or prove a point. What started as an innocent baby photo can become part of a toxic online narrative. In such cases, the child becomes collateral damage, their image and identity used in battles they did not choose.

We must think critically and compassionately about how we involve children in social media. Just because something is trending does not make it right. As adults, we must lead by example. Our role is to protect our children—not just physically, but emotionally and digitally as well.

Let us choose to protect our children from future judgment and preserve their innocence for as long as possible. We need to remember that while we have the power to post today, we do not have the power to control how the world will react tomorrow—or how our children will feel when they are old enough to understand.

Children are not content. They are not brand ambassadors in waiting. They are not trophies to be paraded for clout. They are individuals—worthy of respect, dignity, and privacy. Let’s make a collective commitment to safeguard that right. Let us allow children to grow up free from the burden of public scrutiny.

The writer is the Director Ineza Children’s Centre