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"Magic That Never Fades": The Brutal Truth of Data That Wanders the Digital Sea Forever -Part 4-

| Alaudae.JP

4. Global Check-list for Parents: The Reality of the Digital World

Children live their lives to the fullest in the present, but it's none other than adults (parents) who buy them the devices that record that present, sign contracts, and give permission for them to release it into the vast ocean of the internet.

In fact, in many cases, adults' literacy is even less savvy than children's. For example, a record of their child's growth that parents post on social media with good intentions can become a tormenting "digital tattoo" for the child years later (this is known overseas as "sharenting" and is considered a problem).

The first step to protecting children is for adults to be properly wary of the "permanence of the Internet" and the "existence of malice." Therefore, we have created a somewhat strict "checklist of things adults should be aware of first."

— 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Handing a Device to Your Child —

  1. [ ] Do you understand that "Delete" does not mean "Gone"?

    • Can you accept that once something is uploaded, it is technically impossible to guarantee it’s gone from every server and storage device?

  2. [ ] Are you aware that not everyone online has good intentions?

    • Do you acknowledge that there are "collectors" who enjoy finding, archiving, and maliciousy altering others' private content?

  3. [ ] Are you treating your child’s photos as "content"?

    • Do you realize that photos you post of your child can be used as "raw material" for AI training or malicious deepfakes?

  4. [ ] Do you know the limits of the "Right to be Forgotten"?

    • Legally, you can request a deletion, but do you understand that retrieving every "copy of a copy" is harder than collecting ink spilled in the ocean?

  5. [ ] Are you aware that today’s "joke" becomes your child’s future "resume"?

    • Do you know that "Digital Background Checks" are becoming standard for jobs and university admissions?

  6. [ ] Are you over-trusting "Private" or "Locked" accounts?

    • Do you understand that a single screenshot can instantly bypass any privacy setting?

  7. [ ] Is your knowledge of AI manipulation up to date?

    • Do you recognize that we live in an era where deepfakes can make your child appear to say or do things they never did?

  8. [ ] Are you weighing your child’s "right to make mistakes" against their "right to be protected"?

    • Are you prepared to take responsibility to ensure a childhood mistake doesn't become a lifelong scar?

  9. [ ] Is your own digital literacy current?

    • The rules of 10 years ago don't apply. Are you constantly learning about evolving digital risks?

  10. [ ] Have you taught them that the internet can lead to a "dark place"?

    • While it’s a magical tool, are you showing them through your own actions that one wrong click can change a life?

A word of advice for adults:

"It wasn't like this back in the day" is no longer valid in the cyber world. Today's children are living in a "lifelong surveillance society" unlike anything we've ever experienced.

First, adults need to properly understand the fear that the "Internet is eternal" and act as a "wall" that stops children when they try to press the wrong button.

Please use this list in parent-teacher meetings or as a "parental guide" when signing a smartphone purchase contract.

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