When we prepare for a baby so much of it is the physical—the bassinet, swaddles, diapers, bottles, teeny-tiny clothes—but the reality is we’re also building their digital footprint. In today’s digital age, even a simple birth announcement could unknowingly set your child up for identity theft, so it’s vital to set boundaries for your little one’s online presence from the start—something we call digital nesting.
Digital Nesting (noun): The practice of preparing and establishing digital boundaries and safety measures for a child before or shortly after their arrival.
“We’re in a different stage of technology right now where we’re all aware of the digital footprints that we create,” explains internet safety expert Katie Greer. “When we start these footprints for them when they’re babies, they have no say in what is put out there; something that may be cute or funny to us at the time may horrify them later.” You’ve probably read about the backlash to sharenting (parental oversharing) or heard the kids of influencers speak out about their struggles.
So how do you protect your baby’s safety and their future? We gathered expert tips to help kick off your digital nesting.
1. Get digitally aligned
It’s important to speak openly and honestly about what boundaries and rules you want to set around your child’s digital identity and exposure. Making these decisions early helps you avoid oversharing or parental friction. If you’ve decided not to post your kids’ photos or personal details online, your extended family and friends should know so they’re aligned too.
2. Share mindfully
Skip the personal details: Refrain from sharing your baby’s full name, date of birth, or health information online. These details can be used in ways you can’t control later.
Turn off geotagging: Take a pass on location or venue check-ins, especially at spots your child visits regularly, like daycare, kindergarten, school, local parks, or coffee shops.
Cover up any identifiers: Cover up uniforms and blur out logos of any institution on clothing that could track your kiddo to a specific daycare, kindergarten, or school.
Choose private platforms: Social media can be a risky place to share your baby’s highlights and milestones. Consider a secure app like Tinybeans! We’re trusted by millions of parents thanks to our strict privacy settings, so you can share precious moments safely with just family and close friends and know that you have complete ownership of your photos.
3. Be selective about photos
Think before you post: Once a picture is online, you can’t control where it goes. “There’s no magic tool that can wipe a photo or video off the internet forever,” says Greer. “We can delete it in certain places, but that doesn’t mean it’s not somewhere else.” AI and other technologies may use your baby’s image without your consent.
Consider your baby’s future: They can’t consent to you posting that tushie shot or bathtime nudes. “I think one of the biggest mistakes is putting out pictures of kids without their clothes on,” cautions Greer. They may be cute, but in the wrong hands they can be devastating, so be selective about how much of their life you put online. Remember: your baby’s privacy matters more than likes.
Spam responsibly: We completely understand the urge to share every goofy smile and tiptoed toddle with close family—just be sure you’re doing it somewhere that feels safe. Plus, you aren’t the only one who will want to share baby’s adorable face with the world, so communicate your boundaries with all the gushing grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who might get share-happy, too.
4. Regularly review privacy settings
Stay updated: Be mindful of the fact that anyone can see your social posts if your account is public. “Privacy settings are a must!” stresses Greer. “So many people don’t use them and share tremendously personal information.” But even if your account is private, social media platforms often change their privacy settings and policies, so regularly review your account settings to ensure your posts remain private and only visible to your selected audience.
App permissions: Check what permissions you’ve granted to apps, especially photo-sharing and social media platforms. Limit access to things like your camera roll and location unless absolutely necessary.
5. Audit your social media
This generation of parents is the first to have had social media accounts since they were at high school or university, that’s a lot of acquaintances we’ve collected along the way! If you do share life updates on social media regularly, audit who you’re friends with or who’s following you. Even if your account is on private, someone you met once, 20 years ago doesn’t need to see details of your life now.
Related: My Insta “Friends” Are Mostly Stranger Now—And As a Mom, It’s Weirding Me Out
6. Beware of scams and phishing
Watch for suspicious activity: Be cautious of any emails or messages that ask for personal information about your baby or family. Cybercriminals often target new parents with scams, so stay vigilant. “A good rule of thumb is: if you didn’t expect it, don’t go clicking around,” says Greer.
7. Create strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Use strong, unique passwords for all your social media and photo-sharing accounts. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
Family accounts: Ensure that any family members you share photos with also use strong passwords and secure their accounts properly.
8. Mentor, monitor, and adapt
Teach digital safety from day one: As your child grows, talk openly about what’s safe to share online. “From a very young age, we can set good examples and have really great conversations about how, when, and why we use technology,” says Greer. Guide them in spotting dangers and understanding who they can trust online.
Related: 10 Things Kids Should NEVER Do Online
It’s OK to pivot: If you started sharing publicly but now feel uneasy about it, know that it’s okay to change your approach. Your child’s safety and your peace of mind come first.
Set healthy boundaries: Keep adjusting your digital habits as your kiddo grows. You’re their role model for how they build a relationship with tech, so be mindful of the example you set.
9. Use age-appropriate tech controls and settings
If your toddler or child is on a digital device (let’s face it, they will!) make sure your devices, apps, and programs have child locks or settings. For example, you can find safety settings for Alexa, YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and more.
Related: 11 Fun Toddler Apps Parents Can Feel Good About
Pro tip: Don’t let your kids know the password to your phone as it automatically creates a permission structure to access content, apps, and games.
10. Consider consent and future impacts
Digital Footprint: Remember, what you post today could impact your child later in life. Be mindful of creating a digital footprint that respects their future privacy and choices.
Ask permission: As your child grows, involve them in decisions about what you share online. “It’s a great practice! It gets the kids involved in their digital reputation and also teaches them how we should respect others.” Teaching them about consent as early as possible will help them understand the importance of controlling their digital presence and the fact that others will want to do the same.
In the tech age, it’s up to parents to protect and educate our kiddos from the very start. “I think really being involved in our kids’ online lives is imperative if we want to help them be safe and productive,” explains Greer. “Early, frequent conversations around all of these important topics can really set our kids up for success.” So get that viral bassinet and find the perfect wallpaper for the nursery—but also start your digital nesting to plan how you’ll protect your little one online. These tips should help get the ball rolling and keep it moving for years to come.
Why Tinybeans?
Tinybeans is more than a photo-sharing app—it’s a secure platform designed for today’s parents who want to protect their children’s privacy while sharing family milestones. In a recent survey, 90% of users said privacy is the top reason they choose Tinybeans. The app lets you share safely and stay in control of your family’s digital presence.
Once your baby arrives, it’s important to stay connected with loved ones near and far and spread the joy of watching your little one grow. With Tinybeans, you can easily share your baby’s sweetest moments with grandparents, family, and close friends, creating memories together in a safe, secure space. Join today to create your family’s very own digital time capsule and stay connected with loved ones—without worrying about privacy or security.
