During the summer holidays, families spend time together and create many special memories, whether they're swimming, playing games or eating ice cream. These memories are invaluable to caregivers and relatives alike. However, sharing images of children on social networks can pose risks. The practice of caregivers sharing pictures of their children online is known as 'sharenting', a term formed from 'share' and 'parent'. In the article „Sharenting: when parents post children's photos online“, Nadia Kutscher explains what this means for the Federal Centre for Media Protection of Children and Young People (BzKJ).
Many adults are unaware of children's personal rights in the digital space and often publish images of them without their knowledge or consent. According to studies (e.g. by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk; available only in german), this often happens at an early age, sometimes even before birth when ultrasound images are published. However, publishing such images can violate key children's rights, including the right to privacy and protection from violence. Jugendschutz.net's (available only in german) study shows how quickly and in what contexts children's personal rights can be violated online.
It is also worrying that images of children are increasingly being misused by perpetrators. Even seemingly harmless everyday images can end up in the wrong context or be used to create abusive images. AI technologies are now also being used for this purpose, as a recently published data by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) shows. According to the data, the number of confirmed reports of AI-generated child pornography has increased by 400% within the first six months of 2025 (January to June).
Campaign week at the start of the holidays
The nationwide campaign week 'Children are not content' took place from 23 to 30 June 2025. The aim was to draw attention to the rights of children, the potential risks of publishing images online, and to promote a more thoughtful approach to sharing images of children online. Using the hashtag #KindersindkeinContent, klicksafe; SCHAU HIN!; Gutes Aufwachsen mit Medien;Bundeszentrale für Kinder- und Jugendmedienschutz BzKJ; Unabhängige Beauftragte für Fragen des sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs (UBSKM) set an example for the protection of children's rights in the digital space.
Together, these organisations and institutions provide information about risks, as well as materials, guides and recommendations for parents, professionals and educators. Some of these materials can be downloaded and viewed below.
Save the Children: “The Sensitive Handling of Children's Photos and Videos in Institutions and Organisations”: Awareness when sharing children's photos and videos: Childrens Rights Digital
Kinderhilfswerk: „Sharing is not Caring“:DKHW_Sharing_is_not_caring_digital.pdf