Parents are being urged to stop using emojis to hide their children’s faces on social media. While this trend is popular among privacy-conscious families and celebrities, cybersecurity experts warn it offers a dangerous false sense of security.
Lisa Ventura, founder of Cyber Security Unity, describes the practice as “security theatre” rather than actual protection. She explains that placing a digital sticker over a face does little to hide identity. Advanced AI tools can now effortlessly remove emojis or reconstruct features. Additionally, background clues—such as school uniforms, landmarks, or street signs—allow strangers to piece together a child’s location and daily routine.
The Hidden Risks
The consequences extend far beyond simple privacy loss. Christoph C. Cemper of AIPRM warns that these images can fuel identity theft, fraud, or even be weaponized for cyberbullying. Furthermore, once uploaded, social platforms often gain rights to the images, feeding facial recognition algorithms without a child’s consent.
A Safer Way to Share
Experts advise shifting to “analog” obscuring methods. This includes photographing the back of a child’s head or using physical props like hats and sunglasses. Ultimately, the safest option is to share memories through private, encrypted messaging groups rather than public feeds. As Ventura emphasizes, protecting a child’s future digital footprint is worth sacrificing public likes.