Sharenting, Legal Aspect of Child's Privacy Rights in the Age of Internet: Nigerian Perspective
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Date
2021
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Elizade University Law Journal
Abstract
Sharenting as a norm is popular among social media users, especially amongst parents, even though many have not adverted their minds to legal implications of sharing online. Social media platforms afford its users many privileges as well as pose both legal and security challenges. The study examined the legal implications of sharenting for parents in the Nigerian context. The study adopted both primary and secondary sources of information. The work analysed also the provisions of Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019 and Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In relation to the protection of the privacy of children online and identified loopholes that can make implementations of the laws difficult. The study found that whilst many parents use the social media platforms to post updates about their children, they sometimes inadvertently expose children to security risks. On the other hand, children have need for privacy that could clash with the parents' right to share thus creating clash of interest. The article examined the possibility of children employing legal means to enforce their right. Whilst there are no precedents on children suing their parents for unnecessary exposure on social media, global trends are moving in that direction. The paper calls for reforms in judicial attitude to interpretation of Section 37 of the Constitution and recommends sensitization of parents on the legal implications of sharenting.
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EULJ