Emojis are the new digital mask for kids – plastered over tiny faces by parents who are hoping to protect their children from online dangers. But behind that smiley face or heart, AI is quietly working in the background, analyzing the image to identify the child who’s hiding behind the cartoon mask.
For some, parenting today means documenting every milestone – first steps, birthdays, family vacations – and sharing them with friends and followers. Others choose complete online anonymity for their children.
Then there’s a rising group of parents who straddle the line, opting to share photos but mask their kids’ faces using emojis – hearts, baby faces, or even playful devils. This hybrid approach, often adopted by celebrities, appears to strike a balance between sharing and protecting.
“Our kids are young. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them,” Meghan Markle told CBS in 2024 of protecting her children – Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4 – from online harm.