2 months ago

The Risks of Oversharing: Why Privacy Settings Matter for Middle Eastern Families?

A recent survey conducted by the Toluna Research Agency at the request of Kaspersky has revealed that nearly half of parents across the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (48%) regularly keep sharing photos, videos, or updates of their children on social media. While the majority of these parents (72%) limit visibility to friends or followers, more than a quarter (28%) maintain fully public accounts, making their children’s content accessible to any internet user. Motivations and Consent The primary motivation for sharing is the preservation of memories, cited by 64% of respondents, while 42% post out of pride in their children’s achievements. However, social pressure and engagement also influence behaviour; 21% post because they see others doing so, and 10% admit to sharing content specifically to increase follower counts or likes. While 59% of parents claim to ask for their child’s permission before posting, one in five admits to publishing content even if the child disagrees. Long-Term Security Risks Experts warn that what may seem like a harmless family moment can contribute to a permanent digital footprint with long-term risks. Oversharing can unintentionally expose sensitive details such as full names, birth dates, school locations, and daily routines. This data can be exploited […]