GAP: Sharing and protection of a child's image online
That is: it's not only "what the child watches", but also "what we - adults - publish about the child". The topic is clearly growing, as there are campaigns and announcements of work on better protection of children's image online.
Why is it so important now?
Parents post photos and videos of children with good intentions: pride, contact with family, a "souvenir". The problem is that the Internet does not have a "only for loved ones" mode. In Poland, the topic of sharing has become so important that there are campaigns to protect the image of the youngest and announcements of work on regulations.
What's more: experts point out that Polish law does not define sharenting and does not explicitly prohibit it, which leaves parents with a lot of doubts "can I do it?" and “what if someone takes advantage of it?”
What is sharing?
Sharenting is the publication of information, photos and videos of a child on the Internet by parents/guardians. Sometimes it's one photo from a vacation, and sometimes it's a regular account of a child's life: school, emotions, health problems, compromising situations.
The scale of the phenomenon also appears in official materials regarding the protection of children's image (including the average number of content published per year and the percentage of parents sharing it). The biggest risks of sharing in 2026 (in short)
Loss of child's privacy - the digital trace remains for years.
Theft and further sharing – screenshots have a life of their own.
Profiling and sensitive data – school, location, daily routine.
Peer violence - it is easier for children to "tease" something that is posted online.
The pressure of an ideal family image - can fuel tension and crises at home (this is often combined with parents' overload and taboos around parenting).
Is it legal to post photos of your child?
I won't give you 1:1 legal advice (it depends on the situation), but it's worth remembering two things:
Legal analyzes emphasize that there is no direct definition and prohibition of sharing in Polish law, and the assessment is sometimes "indirect" (privacy, image, child's welfare, personal data, etc.).
At the same time, there are state activities aimed atbetter protection of children's imageonline.
If you have a dispute in your family (e.g. after a breakup) or the matter is delicate (health, school, conflicts), it is best to consult the matter with a lawyer.
7 rules for safe posting (parent's checklist)
1) The "no location" principle
Do not publish in real time: school, kindergarten, playground at home, training schedules.
2) Zero identifying information
Avoid: school name on uniform, signs, documents, diary, ID card.
3) Don't post "embarrassing" moments
Bathing, potty, crying during a crisis, "failures" - these are things that can come back to a child in their teenage years.
4) Photo ≠ life story
The biggest problem is not one photo, but regular building of the child's profile: habits, fears, diseases, relationships.
5) A private account is not a guarantee
A private profile limits the risk but does not eliminate it (screenshots, shares, hijacked accounts).
6) Ask for consent (and teach other adults to do so)
If your child is of an age where he or she understands “the internet,” ask. It teaches boundaries.
7) Set rules with your family (grandma throws in too!)
The most common conflict: a parent limits publications, and a family member posts "because I only publish for friends".
Mini-text to send to family (copy-paste):
"Hi! We care about the privacy of the Little One. Please do not post photos/videos without asking. If you want to share something - send it to us, we will discuss it together."
"Family social media agreement" (1 page that saves peace)
Set 5 points:
who can post (e.g. only parents)
what content is prohibited (embarrassing, school, location)
where we publish (e.g. closed group vs. publicly)
how we react when something leaks (steps + contact)
what do we do when the child says "no"
What to do when a photo of your child is already circulating?
Request deletion (first calmly, in writing).
Secure evidence (screenshots, links, dates).
Report violations on the platform (report).
If the situation is serious or controversial, consult a lawyer.
How SpotMeUp helps parents navigate this topic (locally and practically)
Sharenting is not just a "law" - it ishabits, pressure, communication and boundaries. And a lot can be done here through education and support.
In SpotMeUp you can search locally:
1) Workshops and courses for parents
The best slogans: "child safety online", "digital hygiene", "borders and communication".
Path: Parenting and family → Courses and workshops. (SpotMeUp)
2) Mental support (pressure, conflict, overload)
Sometimes the problem is not "whether to post it", but tension: comparison, need for acceptance, conflicts with loved ones.
Path: Health and fitness → Mental health. (SpotMeUp)
3) Relieving logistics (to have space for rules at all)
A tired parent is more likely to "let go" of the rules. Real relief from the day helps.
Path: Parenting and family → Care and plan + (optional) Home and garden → Space organization. (SpotMeUp)
Frequently asked questions
Co to jest sharenting?
Sharenting is the sharing of photos, videos and information about a child by parents/guardians on the Internet.
Is sharenting legal in Poland?
Polish law does not define sharing or prohibit it directly, so the assessment may depend on the context (including privacy and the best interests of the child).
How to post photos of your child safely?
The most important thing: do not give out location or identifying information, do not post embarrassing content, limit the frequency and set rules with your family.
