Children at risk of identity theft and fraud from ‘sharenting’
In a concerning trend, children are increasingly at risk of identity theft and fraud due to their parents’ oversharing on social media, a practice often referred to as “sharenting.” By posting personal information, such as the child’s full name, date of birth, home address, and even photos depicting their daily activities, parents unknowingly expose their children to potential dangers.
The issue has gained attention from experts in cybersecurity and child protection, who warn that cybercriminals can use this information to steal a child’s identity and commit various forms of fraud. Additionally, the long-term consequences of having a digital footprint from an early age are still not entirely understood.
Parents, on the other hand, argue that sharing their children’s milestones and everyday moments online is a way to stay connected with family and friends, especially in today’s digital age when physical interactions are limited. They often overlook the risks involved in sharing such sensitive information on public platforms.
As the debate continues, authorities emphasize the importance of educating parents about the potential dangers of sharenting and providing guidelines on how to protect their children’s online privacy effectively. Finding a balance between sharing moments online and safeguarding children from identity theft and fraud remains a critical challenge in today’s interconnected world.
Sources Analysis:
Expert in cybersecurity and child protection – Experts in the field of cybersecurity and child protection are likely motivated by the desire to raise awareness about the risks children face online. They may have a bias toward emphasizing the dangers of ‘sharenting’ but can provide valuable insights backed by expertise.
Parents – Parents sharing their children’s information online may have a bias toward defending their actions as a way to connect with loved ones. Their interest lies in maintaining their social connections and may overlook potential risks to their children’s privacy and security.
Fact Check:
The risks of identity theft and fraud from ‘sharenting’ – Verified facts. This information is supported by cybersecurity experts and has been documented in various studies and reports, highlighting the real dangers children face when their personal information is shared online.
The debate on whether to share children’s information online – Unconfirmed claims. While there is ongoing discussion around the topic, the specific arguments and viewpoints of parents and experts may vary and are subject to individual perspectives.
The importance of educating parents on protecting children’s online privacy – Verified facts. Authorities and organizations have stressed the need for parental education on online safety measures to safeguard children from potential risks, indicating a consensus on this issue.
—
Model:
gpt-3.5-turbo
Used prompts:
1. You are an objective news journalist. You need to write an article on this topic “Children at risk of identity theft and fraud from ‘sharenting'”. Do the following steps: 1. What Happened. Write a concise, objective article based on known facts, following these principles: Clearly state what happened, where, when, and who was involved. Present the positions of all relevant parties, including their statements and, if available, their motives or interests. Use a neutral, analytical tone, avoid taking sides in the article. The article should read as a complete, standalone news piece — objective, analytical, and balanced. Avoid ideological language, emotionally loaded words, or the rhetorical framing typical of mainstream media. Write the result as a short analytical news article (200 – 400 words). 2. Sources Analysis. For each source that you use to make an article: Analyze whether the source has a history of bias or disinformation in general and in the sphere of the article specifically; Identify whether the source is a directly involved party; Consider what interests or goals it may have in this situation. Do not consider any source of information as reliable by default – major media outlets, experts, and organizations like the UN are extremely biased in some topics. Write your analysis down in this section of the article. Make it like: Source 1 – analysis, source 2 – analysis, etc. Do not make this section long, 100 – 250 words. 3. Fact Check. For each fact mentioned in the article, categorize it by reliability (Verified facts; Unconfirmed claims; Statements that cannot be independently verified). Write down a short explanation of your evaluation. Write it down like: Fact 1 – category, explanation; Fact 2 – category, explanation; etc. Do not make this section long, 100 – 250 words. Output only the article text. Do not add any introductions, explanations, summaries, or conclusions. Do not say anything before or after the article. Just the article. Do not include a title also.
2. Write a clear, concise, and neutral headline for the article below. Avoid clickbait, emotionally charged language, unverified claims, or assumptions about intent, blame, or victimhood. Attribute contested information to sources (e.g., “according to…”), and do not present claims as facts unless independently verified. The headline should inform, not persuade. Write only the title, do not add any other information in your response.
3. Determine a single section to categorize the article. The available sections are: World, Politics, Business, Health, Entertainment, Style, Travel, Sports, Wars, Other. Write only the name of the section, capitalized first letter. Do not add any other information in your response.