Experts Encourage Parents to Be Careful When Posting about Their Kids Online

January 8, 2017

Unlocking Word Meanings
今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. coin / kɔɪn / (v.) – to invent a name or word for something
Example: I am sure that the team will coin a term for this project.

2. privacy / ˈpraɪ və si / (n.) – the state of being away from unwanted attention
Example: He closed the door to maintain his privacy.

3. entitle / ɛnˈtaɪt l / (v.) – to give someone the right to do or own something
Example: She is entitled to her right to express her opinions.

4. inappropriate /ˌɪn əˈproʊ pri ɪt / (adj.) – not suitable for a certain situation or audience
Example: Some books are inappropriate for children.

5. embarrass / ɛmˈbær əs / (v.) – to cause someone to feel ashamed or uncomfortable
Example: The child was embarrassed by his mistake onstage.

Article
ニュース記事

Read the text below.
Experts are now warning parents about the possible effects of oversharing about their kids online.

Researchers have recently raised concerns about the bad effects of “sharenting.” The term was coined by researchers from the University of Michigan to refer to the act of sharing excessively about one’s children online. According to them, it is not very likely for children to experience problems from what their parents share online. However, there is still conflict between a parent’s right to share and the child’s right to privacy.

While the researchers agree that parents should still be entitled to post online, they believe that parents should also be aware of its possible effects. They said that oversharing, or uploading more than what is appropriate, comes with potential risks. For instance, a photo made public on the Internet can be stolen by cybercriminals and reposted illegally in inappropriate websites. This may cause a child to be embarrassed or even bullied.

To avoid the negative effects of sharing online, researchers said that parents should know the privacy policies of the social media sites they use. Parents should also select the people who see what they share. It is best for parents to avoid sharing their children’s information to the public.

The researchers also emphasized that parents should consult their children if they are comfortable before posting about them online.  For example, before posting a photo, parents should ask their children if they agree to show their photos to a lot of people. A pediatrician recommends beginning to ask these questions to children aged 6 to 8 years old.


Viewpoint Discussion
ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Is it common in your country for parents to post about their kids online? Why is this the case?
·         What kind of information or photos should parents avoid posting online?

Discussion B

·         Some parents overshare photos of their kids online. What are the possible effects of this on children?
·         On the other hand, what are the benefits of sharing children’s photos online?

January 8, 2017