Children’s Privacy on Social Media: Challenges and Legal Solutions

Atefeh Shahsavari

PhD Student in Political sociology, Razi University

Introduction

In today’s digital age, social media platforms constitute an important part of the daily lives of children and adolescents, playing a fundamental and central role in shaping their identities, social relationships, and even their education. Children gain access to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube from a very young age—sometimes even before entering primary school—and actively participate in the virtual world by sharing photographs, videos, comments, and personal information such as their names, ages, places of residence, and interests.

While these interactions provide unprecedented opportunities for learning, entertainment, and communication with peers, they are also accompanied by significant risks and challenges concerning children’s privacy. Children’s privacy refers to the protection of their personal data against potential misuse, including hacking, cyberbullying, online hate speech, commercial exploitation through intelligent algorithms, and other practices that may create security threats.

Furthermore, technology companies often collect children’s information without the awareness of either parents or the children themselves, using such data for personalized marketing purposes or selling it to third parties. This issue not only results in violations of children’s fundamental rights but may also have long-term consequences for their mental well-being, including increased anxiety resulting from constant surveillance or exposure to inappropriate content. Therefore, there is an urgent need for robust legal policies, coupled with educational initiatives aimed at parents and children regarding privacy management, in order to establish a balance between benefiting from technological advancements and protecting individual rights.

Privacy in the Digital Age

Defining privacy in the digital environment can be somewhat challenging. The classical definition of privacy is often described as “the claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.” Contemporary theoretical approaches likewise tend to define online privacy from the perspective of individual control over the disclosure of information and the degree of visibility. However, they simultaneously seek to demonstrate that such control is inherently dependent upon the nature of the social and digital environment.

To conceptualize privacy in the digital age, it is first necessary to examine how the nature of the digital environment—particularly with the expansion of social media—has introduced new complexities into social life. Boyd and Marwick use the concept of “networked privacy” to describe the default public nature of personal communications in the digital era, a phenomenon that influences individuals’ decisions regarding which information to share and which to conceal. They identify four key affordances of networked technologies: persistence, replicability, scalability, and searchability. These characteristics mean that individuals must navigate dynamics that were largely absent from everyday life before the emergence of digital technologies.

Accordingly, while the dynamics of online environments may threaten privacy and potentially lead to privacy violations, children also experience these spaces as supportive of their identity-related, expressive, and communicative needs. Such environments provide greater opportunities for choice and control over personal information and, consequently, greater possibilities for managing online privacy (Livingstone et al., 2019: 11).

In this context, Nissenbaum defines privacy not as a right to secrecy nor a right to control, but rather as “the right to an appropriate flow of personal information” (Nissenbaum, 2010: 3). Similarly, UNICEF’s report on children’s online privacy and freedom of expression distinguishes several dimensions of privacy that are affected by digital technologies, including physical privacy, communications privacy, informational privacy, and decisional privacy. The report places particular emphasis on children’s rights regarding privacy and personal data protection, freedom of expression and access to diverse information, protection from reputational harm, safeguards appropriate to their evolving capacities, and access to remedies in cases of rights violations and abuse (UNICEF, 2018).

Challenges to Children’s Privacy on Social Media

With social media increasingly dominating the digital landscape, the risks it poses to children and young people are becoming more evident by the day. The lack of digital literacy among children underscores the importance of preventive measures. Although social media use can have positive effects for some children, there is growing concern regarding the ways in which these platforms are currently designed, deployed, and utilized. The use of platforms originally designed for adults exposes children and adolescents to a heightened risk of unsupervised, developmentally inappropriate, and potentially harmful experiences (SOS Children’s Villages, 2025). Consequently, children’s privacy on social media has become an increasingly significant concern for parents in the digital age (Stetson, 2025: 1–3).

Henrietta Fore, former Executive Director of UNICEF, expressed deep concern regarding a digital environment saturated with harmful information and its impact on children. The widespread popularity of the internet, social media platforms, and visual networks such as Instagram and TikTok among children has intensified these risks. Even very young children—or those without direct access to social media—may be exposed to misinformation through interactions with peers, parents, caregivers, and educators. Misinformation can easily move between online and offline environments, amplifying its influence (UNICEF, 2021).

In this regard, cyberbullying, online hate speech, and other forms of peer-to-peer violence can affect young people every time they log onto social media or instant messaging platforms. More than one-third of young people across 30 countries report having experienced cyberbullying, and one in five has missed or dropped out of school as a result. While browsing the internet, children and young people may also encounter hate speech and violent content, including messages that encourage self-harm and even suicide.

Young internet users are likewise vulnerable to recruitment efforts by extremist and terrorist groups. Perhaps the most alarming threat is online sexual exploitation and abuse. Never before has it been easier for child sexual offenders to contact potential victims, share exploitative images, and encourage others to commit similar crimes. Approximately 80 percent of children across 25 countries report feeling at risk of online sexual abuse or exploitation. Children may also face risks when technology companies violate their privacy by collecting personal data for marketing purposes (United Nations, n.d).

Social media platforms have become an integral part of the lives of many children and adolescents, providing spaces for communication, content creation, and exploration of new worlds. However, these platforms can also expose them to experiences that are difficult to navigate without adequate support. Understanding these risks is essential for helping children engage with digital environments safely and confidently.

Children may encounter people online whom they do not know, and not all such interactions are safe. Unwanted messages, friend requests, or invitations to join groups may place them in uncomfortable or even dangerous situations. Furthermore, filters, photo-editing tools, and carefully curated posts often present an idealized version of reality. This can lead children to compare themselves unfairly with others, negatively affecting their self-esteem and body image (NSPCC, n.d).

Legal Measures for Protecting Children’s Privacy

The United Nations actively works to protect children and young people online through a variety of programs and initiatives. The Child Online Protection (COP) Initiative is a multi-stakeholder network launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to promote awareness of child safety in the online environment and to develop practical tools that assist governments, industry actors, and educators.

The ITU’s guidelines on child online protection provide a comprehensive set of recommendations for all relevant stakeholders on how to contribute to the development of a safe and empowering online environment for children and young people.

In addition, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is leading a global effort to develop regulatory solutions aimed at enhancing the reliability and trustworthiness of information on digital platforms in response to the growing spread of misinformation and disinformation. In February 2023, the UN agency hosted the Internet for Trust Conference, bringing together stakeholders to discuss a set of global guidelines intended to create a secure and trustworthy online environment while simultaneously safeguarding freedom of expression and access to information.

UNESCO also serves as the lead United Nations agency in promoting Media and Information Literacy (MIL), empowering individuals to think critically about information and make effective use of digital tools. The organization seeks to equip young people with media and information literacy skills and empower them as leaders and peer educators in creating and disseminating MIL-related knowledge and resources (United Nations, n.d).

Another important legal framework in this area is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted by the United States Congress in 1998. The Act required the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue and enforce regulations concerning children’s online privacy. The original COPPA Rule became effective on April 21, 2000, and the Commission published a revised version of the Rule on January 17, 2013.

The primary objective of COPPA is to place parents in control of the information collected online from their children. The Act was specifically designed to protect children under the age of 13 while taking into account the dynamic nature of the internet.

COPPA applies to operators of commercial websites and online services—including mobile applications and Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart toys—that are directed toward children under the age of 13 and that collect, use, or disclose personal information from children, or permit such information to be collected or maintained on their behalf. The Act also applies to operators of general-audience websites and online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13. Furthermore, it applies to websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information directly from users of another website or online service that is directed toward children (Federal Trade Commission, 2020).

Therefore, ensuring children’s safety in the online environment requires adults to play a more active role in supervising children’s internet use and ensuring that they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly (SOS Children’s Villages, 2025).

Recommendations and Proposed Solutions

To address the challenges associated with children’s privacy on social media, a variety of measures can be implemented by parents, educators, and policymakers.

First, parents should establish clear rules and maintain open communication with their children so that they understand who may contact them online and what types of content are appropriate to share. Regular reviews of children’s account privacy settings—such as restricting chats, limiting visible content, and controlling access to personal information—are also essential.

In this regard, parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with digital learning and online safety policies. They should seek out local resources and helplines related to children’s online safety in order to stay informed about emerging risks and reporting mechanisms for cyberbullying, online harassment, or inappropriate content. Parents can also support their children by becoming familiar with social media platforms themselves and utilizing parental control tools to monitor online activities, including periodic reviews of profiles, applications, and online interactions.

At the educational level, schools should implement digital literacy programs that raise awareness among children about online risks and encourage them to report suspicious or harmful activities. Such programs should foster critical thinking, responsible online behavior, and awareness of privacy rights.

Technology companies should also be encouraged to design child-centered platforms with safety-by-default features, including content filtering systems, enhanced privacy protections, and age-appropriate restrictions for children and adolescents below the legal age threshold.

Finally, governments should strengthen laws such as COPPA and develop public awareness campaigns aimed at educating parents and caregivers. Such measures can contribute significantly to creating a safer digital environment in which children can benefit from technological opportunities without compromising their privacy, security, or well-being.

Conclusion

Overall, children’s privacy on social media represents a critical issue that has become increasingly complex with the advancement of digital technologies, requiring comprehensive and coordinated responses. By examining challenges such as privacy violations, cyberbullying, online hate speech, sexual exploitation, and the misuse of personal data by technology companies, alongside legal mechanisms such as United Nations initiatives—including Child Online Protection (COP) and Media and Information Literacy (MIL)—and legislative frameworks such as COPPA, this paper demonstrates that protecting children requires collaboration among parents, governments, educational institutions, and digital platforms.

Strengthening digital literacy, enforcing robust legal protections, and maintaining continuous oversight can contribute to transforming the online environment into a safer space where children can enjoy the benefits and opportunities offered by digital technologies without jeopardizing their identity, dignity, privacy, or overall well-being. Failure to take such measures may expose future generations to consequences that could prove difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

References

• A .Stetson. (2025 October 31). Children’s Privacy on Social Media: What Parents Should Know Before Posting. Neapolitan Family. from: https://neafamily.com/childrens-privacy-social-media/

• Federal Trade Commission. (2020, July). Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions. Federal Trade Commission. From: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions

• Howard, P., & Neudert, L., & Prakash, N,. & Vosloo, S. (2021, August). Digital misinformation/disinformation and children. UNICEF. From: https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/reports/digital-misinformation-disinformation-and-children

• Livingstone, S. Stoilova, M. and Nandagiri, R. (2019). Children’s data and privacy online: Growing up in a digital age. An evidence review. London: London School of Economics and Political Science.

• National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. (n.d). What children say about using social media. NSPCC. From: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/social-media/
• Nissenbaum, H. (2010) Privacy in context. Technology, policy, and the integrity of social life. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
• SOS children’s (2025 January 8). Young people call for digital literacy to address risks of social media. Sos childrens villages. From: https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/news/protecting-children-on-social-media
• (2018). Children’s online privacy and freedom of expression: Industry toolkit. ,UNICEF. From: https://www.unicef.org/childrightsandbusiness/media/226/file/Brief-Children-and-Online-Privacy
• United Nations. (n.d). Child and Youth Safety Online. The UN. From: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/child-and-youth-safety-online