Doctors from the United Arab Emirates caution that the practice of 'Instagram parenting' may cause children to feel exploited by their parents. One example that drew attention involved a video uploaded by parents when their son was young. Years later, classmates discovered this clip, mocking his manner of speaking, laughter, and behavior on camera.
_The child experienced severe stress, leading him to lose interest in going to school. His family had to seek legal assistance to get these videos removed, according to well-being coach Dr. Hanadi Al Jaber.
This case is part of a series of examples that psychologists believe demonstrate the growing problem of children's digital footprint: parents might consider a photo or video an innocent childhood memory, while the child is forced to live with that content long after they have outgrown the image captured on the recording.
These warnings came after the Abu Dhabi court ruled to prohibit divorced parents from publishing photos, videos, and personal information about their daughters online, and to delete existing content that could harm the child's best interests.
The court also restricted the parent who filed the lawsuit, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond a simple dispute between parents over the right to publish children's pictures; it concerns the child's right to privacy and protection.
Psychologists told Khaleej Times that this case should prompt parents to consider not only whether the child is happy to be photographed today, but also whether they would want this material to be accessible when they become a teenager or an adult.
Al Jaber recalled the case of a boy whose parents created content about him and posted videos on YouTube when he was young. She explained: 'At that time, he was just a normal child. He didn't understand and couldn't say yes or no.'
The situation changed when he became a teenager. His peers found the old videos and began using them for ridicule. 'They created digital stickers from his photos—how he snored, how he spoke, how he laughed,' Al Jaber recounted.
The bullying became so intense that the teenager stopped wanting to attend school. Ultimately, the boy asked his family to delete the videos. However, since the material was already online, its removal proved to be a difficult task. According to Al Jaber, one of the measures the family was forced to take was seeking legal intervention for the mandatory removal of the content. The teenager suffered from serious psychological distress and, as she noted, at one point started thinking about suicide. 'It took us a long time to treat him.'
For Al Jaber, this case illustrates the importance of a child's ability to understand and consent to the public disclosure of information. 'When he was creating content, he was a normal child. He didn't understand and couldn't say yes or no.' But as he grew older, his concept of privacy changed. 'And when he grew up and started to understand, of course, he tried to ask his family to delete the videos.'
Dr. Amir Javed, Director of Pediatric Psychiatry and Intellectual Disabilities Service and Consultant Psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City, stated that children should gain increasing control over how they are presented as they grow up. 'When their lives are widely documented online before they can give informed consent, they may later face embarrassment, loss of trust, or feel that their personal boundaries were violated.'
In his clinical practice, Javed reported encountering teenagers who were uncomfortable with personal information or photos being published without their permission. 'The common theme is that they wanted more ownership over their digital identity.'
He added that this sense of ownership becomes particularly important as children age, as their understanding of privacy, reputation, and identity develops. A photo that seems funny or cute to parents when a child is five years old can be deeply humiliating for that same child at fifteen. Parents should ask themselves if they would be comfortable sharing the same information about themselves. He noted that the same test should apply to children.
Dr. Hanadi warned that the risks are not limited to school bullying—they can extend to the 'dark web.' Once children's photos and videos become publicly available, strangers can access them, save them, redistribute them, or potentially use them to contact the children. 'There are people who use children's videos.'
She cautioned that some individuals may find children through social media and begin communicating with them, potentially exposing them to risks of exploitation or threats. This is why parents should carefully consider before turning private family moments into public content.
A family photo shared privately with relatives is fundamentally different from a video uploaded to a public account, where it can be viewed, copied, and redistributed by people the family does not know.
The clearest signal may come directly from the child. Al Jaber advised parents to pay attention if a child starts questioning old photos or videos or asks for them to be deleted. 'If he says, 'I don't like this photo, I want a better one'; that is what parents should know.'
Similarly, if a child sees an old video and asks why they looked or behaved a certain way, or simply says, 'No, delete this, I don't want to,' parents should listen. The problem is exacerbated when parents refuse because the content has gained value through views, subscribers, or revenue. 'When it becomes content, all of that can unfortunately be destroyed.'
Psychologists also drew a line between ordinary family sharing and the growing phenomenon of exploiting children in online content. Hiba Badawi, a psychologist, stated that documenting family moments can be positive if it remains a way of preserving memories. 'But when this documentation turns into content creation and a project for profit and income, and the child becomes part of this project, disaster strikes.'
She expressed concern that a parent might start viewing the child's appearance not just as a family moment, but as an asset generating engagement or income. This can make it difficult for the child to refuse later. Javed advised parents to consider whether the publication respects the child's dignity and whether they would be comfortable if the same information were spread about them. 'Parents can continue to record special moments for family albums or private sharing, being more selective about what becomes permanently available on public platforms.'
The Kawand pilgrimage continues for hundreds of kilometers, with the cry of 'Bol Bam' heard everywhere, from roads to social media videos. However, behind these viral clips lies the real picture of the Kawand pilgrimage. The article explores what conditions are provided for pilgrims, how the new generation is transforming this tradition, and the personal stories of these pilgrims.
During the peak season, a camp was organized for Kawand pilgrims at Yamuna Vihar in Delhi. Although people of all ages were present in the camp, there was a noticeable large number of young people. One pilgrim, who wore a mask depicting a ghost, told the interviewer: 'We are not from Jantr-Mantar. Do not call us Gen-Z.'
He continued, emphasizing that they do not follow Gen-Z trends, but independently carried 250 kilometers of water from the Ganges. He urged not to associate them with those who use Ola or Rapido for short distances. This pilgrim, despite being similar in age to Gen-Z, rejected the label, considering it not reflective of his identity.
Another pilgrim, Dhruv, supported him. He is 20 years old and was heading to Buradi, Delhi. He noted that he initially supported discussions about students but became disappointed when the conversation shifted to topics contrary to Hinduism and 'Sita's husband.'
However, another side of the issue was presented by Vivek, an 18-year-old resident of Nangloi. He participated in the pilgrimage carrying 51 liters of water and had previously visited Jantr-Mantar in support of CJP. Vivek stated: 'Faith is important, but supporting students is also necessary,' while working as an employee installing IGL pipes.
At the camp, they met Kartik, who is about 40 years old. He noted that the design of Kawand has changed: older models have given way to updated ones, particularly the 'Kalash Kawand' with larger vessels and more water, which has become a subject of competition among young pilgrims.
Kartik expressed concern about this trend, pointing out that many pilgrims carry too much water but abandon their Kawand on the way when they lose strength. He recounted seeing many abandoned Kawands near bushes and along roads, such as near a tea stall in Muzaffarnagar, where six such Kawands stood for three days.
Furthermore, Kartik mentioned the phenomenon of 'God thieves'—pilgrims who use rides from motorcycle or e-bike drivers instead of walking, covering most of the distance this way.
During the conversation, the pilgrims discussed the political situation, mentioning the difficulties for the party to win elections in Uttar Pradesh. Ajay, 28, from Najfargad, reported that there were very few facilities for pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh this year, and medical care was insufficient. He also raised the issue of stolen offerings and suggested that such a situation could create difficulties for the BJP party in the elections. Ajay showed a small piece of bandage bought for 200 rupees and mentioned that a plate of food cost 250 rupees.
When one pilgrim directly asked Ajay when he took the Kawand from Haridwar, Ajay replied July 24. Another pilgrim immediately pointed out the problem, explaining that if he had left around July 31, he would have received all the necessary facilities, as all needs were always met in Uttar Pradesh, and the organization in Delhi was also good.
The Administrative Executive Director of the Red Cross Casino in Cabo Verde, Jose Carlos Cunha, told the Lusa agency that the 'Street Vendor' model is part of the organization's strategy for expanding and modernizing its commercial network. The goal of this initiative is to bring games closer to people and reach new public spaces.
This new approach is not intended to replace existing points of sale, but rather to supplement and strengthen the distribution network of the Red Cross in Cabo Verde. Currently, the Red Cross has 112 agents, and more than 20 of them have expressed interest in joining the new format, according to Jose Carlos Cunha. Participation is open to agents already authorized by the institution.
Agents who agree to participate will receive proper accreditation and will be equipped with a tablet and a mobile printer, allowing them to conduct sales outside fixed locations. The official specified that such sales can take place 'anywhere. On all islands, on the football field, on the beach, anywhere.'
The new format will allow the sale of various organizational games, including Totoloto, Joker, and the National Lottery. According to Jose Carlos Cunha, another goal is to facilitate access to games for people who currently have fewer opportunities to reach sales points. He added that this initiative should also contribute to increasing revenue.
This new model integrates into the modernization process of CVCV Games, which began about two years ago. The Red Cross also plans to inform the public about the new model through an advertising campaign starting on Wednesday, which will include advertisements on buses and other prominent locations.
Jose Carlos Cunha emphasized that street selling cannot be done by just anyone, as only authorized agents can join this model. He stated: 'Not just anyone will sell the games. They must be accredited people.'
In May 2024, the organization also launched an online platform for betting on social games, including Totoloto. At that time, the President of the Red Cross in Cabo Verde noted that the institution, which has operated social games on the archipelago for over 40 years, 'should enter' the world of new technologies to 'strengthen its sustainability' and satisfy the long-held desire of players.
The Red Cross in Cabo Verde has been operating the National Lottery since 1977, and 20 years later, it was chosen to manage Totoloto and Joker. In 2020, the government of Cabo Verde granted the Red Cross the right to organize and operate all social games for 20 years.
A boat carrying 230 migrants set a new record for crossing the English Channel, surpassing the previous maximum of 165 people recorded in July.
A representative from the UK Ministry of the Interior stated that this case demonstrates 'reckless and dangerous tactics used by criminal groups who continue to endanger lives by gathering more and more people on unreliable vessels.'
Nevertheless, the total number of arrivals across the English Channel in 2026 has decreased compared to the same period last year: 14,819 illegal crossings were registered, which is 43% less than in 2025 and 16% less than in 2024.
In response to the aforementioned incident, Nigel Farage, leader of the populist right-wing party Reform UK, announced on the social network X that the vessel with 230 people was escorted to Dover (southeast England) that morning.
The leader of the anti-immigration party asserted: 'This is a record number for one vessel. It is further proof that this illegal invasion constitutes a national security emergency.'
Farage, whose party achieved significant success in local and regional elections in the UK in May, constantly focuses his rhetoric on combating immigration, which is currently a dominant topic in political debates in both the UK and the rest of Europe.
This pilgrim, named Vicky, 23 years old, who is going to Haryana, is involved in tent work and took a two-week leave.
