Proud parents warned to 'think twice' about sharing GCSE results
It can be easy to get swept up in the moment that has been months in the making - but family members are being urged to think before they post
Across the country, young people are discovering if all their hard work and effort has paid off with their GCSE grades. However, their family members are being warned that there are some things to consider before plastering the milestone moment across social media like Facebook, X and Instagram.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L, said: “If your child has done well in their GCSEs, it is only natural to want to post about it on social media and share with family and friends how proud you are. However, it is important that parents are being cautious about what they post online.
“Whilst sharing results alone is OK, sharing them alongside an image of your child in their school uniform or tagging the college they’re heading could be risky. Sharing information or photos of their children on any social media platform, even if their account is private, ultimately leaves a digital footprint."
Your digital footprint is a trail of data that's created when you use the internet, and it includes any information about you that's available online. That doesn't just come from things you put out yourself - so if someone else is sharing information about someone - it will create a lasting mark.
A Google search will uncover most of your digital footprint. Websites may use your digital footprint to target you with advertising but things can also be exploited in much more serious ways.
Marc continued: “Firstly, this can lead to future problems such as university decisions or job applications. What the internet says about your child, this can impact these outcomes.
“Also, if any shared images of personal information, get into the wrong hands of a cybercriminal- such as a child’s full name, birthdates and approximate school and address- this can have serious repercussions, from cyberbullying to identity theft.
“Putting personal information online for the world to see is risky for anybody, especially children under 18. It’s important for parents to think twice about what they share publicly.”