The use of social networks has become ingrained in modern life.
Deutsche Telekom used this fact in a disturbing ad campaign that sparked a serious debate about the potential risks of sharing images and videos of children online. “A Message from Ella,” a deepfake video featured in the campaign, received more than 5.5 million views in a single day. This thought-provoking ad serves as a terrifying reminder of the dangerous consequences of sharing pictures and videos of your children online without thinking about the long-term effects on parents.
The danger of sharing
The ad focuses on nine-year-old Ella wearing make-up, whose parents often share photos and videos of her on social media.
The older Ella deepfake is created from a single photo that Ella’s parents posted online using state-of-the-art Al technology. During a movie date, the deeply fake Ella confronts her horrified parents and tells them the consequences of their behavior.
The aim of the campaign is to draw attention to the significant consequences of “sharing”.
Pictures of children that are posted online can be altered with malicious intent, such as forgery, identity theft, credit score manipulation, and even child pornography.
In particular, research shows that by 2030, information sharing will be a major contributing factor to the large number of identity fraud cases involving youth. Despite these concerns, many parents post pictures of their children online without realizing the potential risks they may be exposing their children to.
Raise conscience and take initiative
Deutsche Telekom’s #ShareWithCare campaign aims to inform parents about the importance of protecting their children’s images and data online. The touching film sparked a larger conversation about protecting children’s privacy and the proper use of the Internet.
The ad successfully illustrates the importance of parental vigilance and provides useful advice to reduce the risks associated with sharing. Three ways to prevent this include taking conscious photos, making your social media accounts private through privacy settings, and discussing internet safety with their children.
In addition to protecting their children through self-awareness, parents can also play a key role in ensuring their children’s digital well-being by fostering a culture of knowledge and responsibility.
Maintaining balance in the digital age
The risks associated with posting images of children online are increasing as technology advances and develops. 4 Deutsche Telekom’s campaign is an excellent reminder of the risks associated with the use of digital technologies and the need to take preventive measures to reduce these risks. Parents are better equipped to handle the online world and keep their children safe and clean by finding a balance between connectivity and isolation.
While Deutsche Telekom’s ad campaign was (intentionally) scary, it should serve as a warning to parents everywhere. Be careful when posting pictures and videos of your children online. By raising awareness and putting in place reasonable safeguards, parents can equip themselves to protect their children from the negative aspects of the digital age.
Deutsche Telekom’s “Message from Ella” campaign effectively draws attention to the potential dangers of over-sharing children’s images online, a practice often referred to as “sharing”. Using a deeply fake fictional character, the ad sends a chilling message about how seemingly innocent photos can be manipulated with harmful consequences such as identity theft, deeply fake abuse and even more sinister threats like child pornography. The stark display has sparked a critical conversation about the need for parents to be more mindful of their online behavior and the long-term consequences of sharing personal family moments in a public digital space.
At its core, the campaign promotes greater awareness of the risks of sharingy children’s photos online. By taking simple steps like adjusting privacy settings, choosing what content to share, and educating children about online safety, parents can play an active role in protecting their children’s digital well-being. The ad also highlights the importance of finding a balance between being online and maintaining a level of privacy that protects vulnerable individuals from the ever-growing threats of the digital age.
Ultimately, this campaign serves as a powerful reminder that while the Internet offers enormous opportunities to connect and share, it also requires a heightened sense of responsibility. Parents must remain vigilant and take steps to protect their children from the dark side of the digital world. Deutsche Telekom’s campaign aims to promote a culture of digital safety that ensures the well-being of the next generation by promoting awareness and encouraging responsible behavior online.