Do you have any idea about what is the Right To Be Forgotten?

No parent wants their Children to post offensive or inappropriate content online. But, what if, despite all the efforts, they still do?

The Right To Be Forgotten was lesser known until recently when Alexi McCammond’s case came into the picture. McCammond, a well-established black reporter, made it to the editor-in-chief at Teen Vogue in her career. But little of that mattered later when someone pointed out her teenage tweets that included racism and homophobia. As a result, she had to give up her position and the stature that she had built with years of effort. 

Few of you will say she got what she deserved. But others know how people in their childhood make mistakes and why they shouldn’t be judged based on their teenage blunders. 

In the later part of this blog, I will go deep into this matter. But firstly, for those who do not know, let me tell you what is Right To Be Forgotten. 

What is the Right To Be Forgotten?

The Right To Be Forgotten or The “Right Of Erasure” is the right to remove a person’s private information from the web search or other Digital directories under specific circumstances. It was included in article 17 of UK GDPR, and this right is for both adults and children. However, the Government can override this right if the plea of an individual doesn’t comply with the laws of the native country.

Is RTBF a fundamental right in your country?

If you are a resident of the European Union, Argentina, or the Philippines, then yes! You and your children can opt for the Right Of Erasure or Right To Be Forgotten (RTBF) law. Alternatively, in a country like India, you have to file a case to remove your content from Google or any other platform.

Clearly, not many countries have given due importance to the data privacy and digital security of children and adults.

I will not go deep into the technicalities. Let’s just stick to why you should care about the Right Of Erasure and do your kids really need the RTBF law.

Do Children Need the Right To Be Forgotten law?

The internet is forever. Your children might confidently share a dodgy opinion today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t regret it later. What happened to Alexi can happen to anyone.

Don’t believe me? Here are some facts.

According to Kaplan, an educational organization, more than 36 percent of colleges go through social media profiles of applicants to do a background check. Not only this, half of them reported that what they found online harmed the applicant’s image. 

According to several studies, what children post online does follow them into their later academic and vocational years. Keeping aside the counselors’ background check thing, even your friends at the new institution or colleagues at the new workplace will try to trace your digital footprints.

Nobody should be judged based on who they were 10 years or maybe 20 years ago. No matter where they live, the Right To Be Forgotten is the need of the hour for our kids.

What Is The Alternative?

It may take longer for other countries to include this law in their constitution. But that doesn’t mean parents can’t do anything about the privacy of their children by then. 

Tech companies like Messenger Kids lure children into the online world in their adolescence. And, in these digital times, one can record or share anything children share in the form of photos, videos, audio, or texts. Even if you delete this content, there is no guarantee that it will completely vanish. There are various means available to save this content. The most significant ones are by taking a screenshot or recording it.

Kids can make mistakes. After all, it is a part of growing and learning. But, to make sure that these mistakes do not affect their later life, parents need to review their digital steps. 

The best way to keep an eye on your child’s digital footprints

The best way to keep your child’s post in check is having an open digital talk. But children might not get you until you get a little tough on them.

Worried, how to do that without being too harsh on your children?

We got you here!

Reliable parental control apps like Bit Guardian Parental Control can help you review your child’s online activities. Along with that, it also lets you keep track of their screen time. It will also help you apply filters to block any inappropriate websites or apps on your child’s phone including the ones that you think can ruin your child’s online reputation.

Concluding Thoughts on the Right To Be Forgotten

In this unforgetting and unforgiving world, you need to monitor your as well as your kid’s digital activities. Even if the Right To Be Forgotten is available at your doorstep, it wouldn’t magically vanish a child’s transgressions from people’s devices or their memories. There is nothing wrong with being a helicopter parent and keep an eye on the apple of your eye, so they won’t regret it later. 

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