Should parents ask their kids permission before posting pictures of them online? This question is important because pictures posted online stay there forever. Children grow into adults and the pictures from their childhood can effect their reputation and job choices as an adult. In my opinion, parents are adults who can post whatever appropriate pictures they want of their children online.
My first argument on the matter is that parents and guardians have legal responsibility of their children until the child or children are of majority age. This means that parents have to help and support their children through out their years as minors. Parents help children with decision-making and many other things. Parents want the best for their children and typically don’t post more than a picture of their children’s accomplishments or their children at a fun event. I agree that there is no harm of posting a few photos as long as you do it in a safe way. Since parents support their children and help with decision-making, they should decide what to post and not to post on social media to help their children and kids should be fine with that. Besides, children are a huge part of a parent’s life, making almost impossible for a parent to have significant pictures without their children.
My second argument on the matter is that some people will say children older than six should have a say in this decision. My argument is that six year old minds don’t have fully developed decision making skills to give their parents this permission. Most of the time you don’t have fully developed decision-making skills until you are in your twenties. Most children don’t understand the power of the Internet and can’t fully make a decision about posting pictures.
My third argument on the matter is that parents don’t post everything their kids do. Parents will typically post pictures to share special moments their children have, to connect with other parents, or to get health or parenting advice. Some of these reasons are good ones and support my argument that parents don’t need their kids’ permission to put pictures on social media. In many cases these pictures can improve the life experience of the family.
In conclusion, since parents have legal responsibility of their children, children at the age of six don’t have fully developed decision-making skills, and parents have good reasons to post pictures, I believe that parents do not need to get their children’s permission before posting pictures of them online.
Isabella wrote this compelling essay on a modern day issue while pursuing her Girl Scout writer's badge. Given the strength of her arguments and convictions we think she is well on her way to law school or a degree in public policy.