DSWD-7: Parents can be sued using children on social media posts

CEBU CITY – Parents using children as content for social media posts can be sued for child exploitation based on several laws that protect the rights of every child including his/her dignity, agency, privacy, participation and sensitivity.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Region VII regional director, Shalane Lucero said this at the “Orientation for Media Practitioners on the Reporting and Coverage of Children” for the Cebu media, September 19 with officials from the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) leading the briefing and distributing the manual guide to the media participants.

Lucero said that there are possible cases that can be filed against parents using their children on social media posts as well as media practitioners and content creators that violate children’s rights to privacy when interviewing during reporting and coverage of children cases and issues and creating contents.

“Using children as content in social media can lead to several potential issues, including-- privacy concerns such as sharing images or videos without consent when they're older.  Emotional impact where children may feel objectified or embarrassed by past posts.  Exploitation where parents profiting from children's images or videos without their future consent,” Joanna Camille Jacinto-Lizardo, CWC information officer shared these insights.

Lizardo added that there are also safety risks involved for increased exposure to potential predators or harassment with long-term consequences on the impact on children’s self-esteem, mental health, or future online presence.

“If you have concerns about specific situations, you can reach out to local authorities or organizations that specialize in child welfare and online safety.  We encourage the citizens to report cases of child abuse and exploitation in whatever form to existing structures like the Barangay Council for the Protection of children and Women, the RCWC, KBP, child rights advocates or champions and the MAKABATA Helpline 1383,” Lucero added.

How can media participate and be partners with these existing structures for the protection of children? Lucero suggested several action items that include re-orientation on the guidelines and laws that protect the rights of children.  The need to review posts and videos on social media, reminder and self-reflection.

Lucero and the CWC team said that the goal of this media orientation and the guide book on the reportage and coverage of children is to assist media practitioners and social media content creators move beyond using their moral compass towards having clear guidance as they navigate between the exercise of press freedom and deciding on the child's welfare.

DSWD-7 and the CWC team urged media and content creators to adopt the Guide as part of editorial policy, news and content protocols; conduct regular in-house training on child- sensitive and trauma-informed reporting and to institutionalize recognition of ethical reporting practices. (Photos: MBCNewman)