In a recent viral video, controversial content creator Andrew Kibe has sparked a significant conversation regarding the practice of featuring children on the internet.
The podcaster, known for his unfiltered and often polarizing commentary on social issues, questioned the long-term impact of digital exposure on youngsters.
The Question of Consent
Kibe’s primary concern centres on the lack of agency children have when their lives are documented for online audiences. He highlights the hypothetical scenario of a child growing up and potentially not wanting a digital footprint.
"Don’t put your kid on the internet, stop it. It seems like a good idea, but that’s a bad idea because what if they grow up and they don’t want to be on the internet, yet there is all this content about them on the internet?" Kibe questioned.
“You try cracking a joke, and then they shut you down, telling you how you used to run naked, and even show you your childhood video. How are you going to survive that?” he posed.
Long-Term Digital Footprints
The podcaster suggests that the anonymity of a blank slate is an advantage that modern children are increasingly losing. He believes that people are better equipped to navigate life and overcome past struggles when those moments are not publicly recorded and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
The Digital Parenting Debate
This commentary adds to a growing global debate regarding "sharenting," a term used to describe the practice of parents sharing photos, videos, and details of their children’s lives on social media.
While many parents view this as a way to connect with family and document milestones, critics and experts increasingly raise concerns about digital safety, data privacy, and the future consequences for the children involved.
As social media platforms continue to evolve, the challenge of balancing parental pride with a child's right to digital privacy remains a complex issue.
Kibe’s blunt assessment serves as a stark reminder of the potential friction between current content creation trends and the future autonomy of children who are raised in the public eye.
