How to protect your child’s digital identity

Kids today live online. From school assignments and YouTube rabbit holes to Roblox, TikTok and everything in between, your child’s digital footprint is growing every time they click, tap or swipe. But here’s the catch. While they’re busy exploring, cybercriminals are busy watching.

Digital identity theft isn’t just an adult problem anymore. In fact, according to studies, one in every fifty children falls victim to identity theft each year around the world, costing families thousands in out-of-pocket expenses.

So, how do you protect your child’s digital life before it becomes a hacker’s playground? Let’s break it down.

What is digital identity in the context of children?

A child’s digital identity includes every trace of their personal information that exists online from their name and birth date to their photos, location, browsing habits, school affiliations and more. From the moment you share their first baby picture on social media, your child begins to build a virtual footprint. In fact, even toddlers have online identities thanks to baby monitor apps, school portals and even smart toys. According to a 2022 University of Michigan study, over 90% of children had an online presence before they turned 2 and that digital shadow can last a lifetime.

Why are our little digital natives so vulnerable?

Our kids are naturally trusting, curious and often don’t grasp the long-term consequences of sharing information online. They’re exploring, connecting and learning, which is wonderful but it also makes them susceptible to:

• Oversharing: from that adorable first-day-of-school photo to detailing their favourite game and username, parents and kids alike can inadvertently share too much. Did you know that by the time children reach 13, parents will have shared an average of 1300 photos and videos of them on social media? That’s a lot of data out there.
• Phishing and scams: those tempting “win a new gaming console” links can be disguised traps designed to steal personal information.
• Inadequate security on platforms: while many child-oriented platforms are getting better, some may not have the robust security measures needed to protect young users’ data.
• Data breaches: even secure platforms can suffer breaches. Schools, healthcare providers and online services that store children’s information can be targeted, exposing sensitive data.

The role of parents in protecting digital identity

Be a digital detective

Search their name and any online usernames they use to see what public information pops up. Doing so is a great way to understand their digital footprint. Also, before your child dives into a new app or game, take a few minutes to read the privacy policy. It might sound boring, but it’s where companies tell you what data they collect and how they use it, so if it feels too intrusive, find an alternative. Meanwhile, if your child is on social media, help them set their privacy settings to the strictest levels. Who can see their posts? Who can tag them? Remember, less public means less risk.

Password patrol

Teach your kids about strong passwords. This means, “password123” won’t cut it. Encourage them to use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters and remember the longer it is, the harder to crack. Explain why they shouldn’t use the same password for every account and whenever possible, enable 2FA (two-factor authentication), which adds an extra layer of security, usually requiring a code sent to a phone or email in addition to the password. For older kids and yourselves, consider using a password manager. These tools securely store complex passwords, so you only have to remember one master password.

Awareness and education at home

Awareness begins at home. Make cybersecurity a part of everyday life, just like brushing teeth or locking the door. Teach them the “Stop, Think, Connect” rule before clicking a link or sharing personal info and remind them that people online aren’t always who they say they are. Emphasise never meeting up with online “friends” without parental permission and supervision. It’s also important that you lead by example. Kids are little sponges so if they see you practicing good online habits, such as using strong passwords, being mindful of what you share and respecting others’ privacy, they’re more likely to do the same.

Build a healthy relationship with technology

Linked to the above, it’s important to encourage your child to develop good digital habits, such as asking you before sharing personal details, thinking carefully before downloading apps and recognising ‘stranger danger’ online.

Top security measures every parent should implement

Keeping your child safe online is a continuous process that involves proactive, layered security. Think of it like teaching your child to cross the street safely – you don’t just tell them once and move on. You reinforce, supervise and adjust based on their age and maturity. The same goes for digital safety. Let’s dive into key measures every parent should take.

1. Secure devices and networks

Whether it’s a tablet for learning or a smartphone for communication, before you hand over a device make sure it’s as secure as your front door.

Device security essentials:

• Install security software: antivirus and antimalware programmes can help detect and block threats.
• Enable automatic updates: this ensures your child’s device always has the latest security patches.
• Use a password manager: for older kids, teach them how to use password vaults.

Network security tips:

Start off by securing your home Wi-Fi. To do so, change the default username and password, use WPA3 encryption if your router supports it and create a separate guest network for your child’s devices. Also, install a family-friendly firewall, which can block inappropriate or dangerous websites.

2. Set up parental controls and privacy settings

This is your digital safety net. Parental controls aren’t just about restricting access, but they empower you to customise and monitor your child’s experience based on their age and maturity. Take a look at this guide for more information about parental controls.

Privacy settings checklist:

• Disable location tracking in apps unless absolutely necessary.
• Turn off microphone and camera access for apps that don’t need them.
• Set profiles to private on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and others.
• Remember to review permissions regularly, especially after updates.

And don’t forget about the free tools. Apple’s Screen Time, Google’s Family Link and Microsoft’s Family Safety offer robust features to manage devices and app usage so check these built-in OS controls.

3. Think before you share

Sometimes, we’re the ones putting our kids’ digital identities at risk without even realising it. It starts with a sweet baby photo, a birthday shoutout or a proud school achievement. It’s called “sharenting”, a mash-up of sharing and parenting and while it may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences.

Sharing smarter:

• Stop before you post and ask yourself questions, such as ‘Does it reveal identifying details?’ or ‘Would I be OK with a stranger seeing this?’
• Create a family sharing policy, where you set boundaries with relatives and friends about what’s OK to post. For example, you can set rules like no face photos, no tagging names, no birthday shoutouts with the year.
• Use simple editing tools to cover up identifying details like the school badge on a shirt or a license plate in the driveway.
• Use private cloud storage like Google Photos or iCloud or even messaging apps with end-to-end encryption to share milestones with trusted friends and family without ‘broadcasting’ to the entire world.

Protecting your child’s digital identity isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing adventure. The digital landscape is always evolving, so staying informed and having open conversations are your best bets.

For more tips on keeping your family safe and confident online, explore our guides on smart home privacy, building kids’ digital resilience, managing screen time and protecting your personal data in the digital age.

Sources:
One in fifty children falls victim to identity theft each year
Children have an online presence before age two