This is a comment on the news commentary story Why I Ask My 5-year-old Son for Permission Before Hugging Him
Thank you for your thoughts about this important issue! As a parent and a researcher in vulnerable children and youth, I know how important understanding and respecting boundaries can be.
A related issue is children's right to have an influence on their online presence. I believe it is also important to ask permission before posting any stories, quotes or pictures - even of one's own children - on social media platforms. Interestingly, when I ask my kids, they usually say no, which makes me wonder how many others are given a choice.
In addition to respecting their personal wishes, it is also a teaching moment about the impact of online presence and a great opportunity to model respectful online behaviours that will be important for them in the future.
The comment can be found at this link to comment.