The thesis Children's Right to privacy in the Digital Age focuses on the time we live in, with social media becoming an integral part of our everyday lives. Children become part of the digital world even before they are fully aware of their own existence. They are often exposed to social media and the internet by their parents, who proudly share information, photographs, and videos from their daily lives. What may seem cute, fun, and endearing today can have significant consequences for the child's future. The author of this thesis investigates how well parents are informed, if at all, about the potential pitfalls and negative consequences that such excessive exposure can have on their child. A review of the legislation reveals that Slovenian law does not pay special attention to the privacy rights of children online.
In exploring these topics, the author conducts three interviews with experts in the fields of human rights protection, safe internet use, and psychotherapy. All three interviewees agree that more needs to be done in this area. The interviewees emphasise that, when discussing whether parents have the right to share such sensitive information about their child with the world, the primary consideration should be what is best for the child, not the parents' perceived rights. They confirm that the true consequences of exposing children on social media will only become apparent later, during adolescence, or when the child discovers something online about themselves that they would not have wanted their parents to share publicly. In addition to peer bullying and ridicule, the experts interviewed by the author highlight that parents are providing these children with a poor foundation for life. They are particularly concerned about the attitude these children will have towards protecting their own privacy in the future.
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