Source: The Seattle Times

The Seattle Times issues a crucial warning to parents about the heightened risks of "sharenting"—the practice of posting photos and videos of children online—in the age of advanced artificial intelligence. The article argues that the capabilities of modern AI have transformed the potential consequences of sharing such content. AI can now easily scrape these images from social media to create vast, searchable databases, generate highly realistic deepfakes, or even clone a child's voice from a short video clip. These technologies create new avenues for identity theft, bullying, and sophisticated scams.

The piece urges parents to reconsider their sharing habits, emphasizing that every photo or video posted contributes to a permanent digital footprint that can be exploited now or in the future. Experts quoted in the article advise on practical steps for protection, such as setting social media accounts to private, being more selective about what is shared, and avoiding posting content that reveals personal information like school or home location. The central message is that the rise of powerful AI tools necessitates a fundamental shift in how parents approach their children's digital privacy, moving from a mindset of open sharing to one of proactive protection.