“I would never post that”: Children, moral sensitivity and online disclosure

This article explores young children’s moral sensitivity regarding online disclosure. Drawing on psychological theory, moral sensitivity is defined as the ability to express and show moral consideration in terms of empathy, role-taking and pro-social moral reasoning. Twenty-five preadolescent children aged 9 to 11, all living in Belgium, were asked in focus group interviews to share their reflections about and experiences with self-disclosure and privacy in internet environments. The findings demonstrate that young children are capable of imagining the moral consequences of disclosing personal information about oneself and about others. Their moral reflections are embedded in a more general concern of children’s vulnerability to other, more powerful information circulators in their social networks, such as older children, siblings, but also parents or the internet crowd. A strong sense of children’s entitlements to online privacy is articulated. Also, the decision of disclosing personal information about the other is carefully considered when the other is emotionally important to the children.

"Children’s moral reflections were characterized by an underlying attitude of care towards the self and others. We found that children are capable of imagining the moral consequences of disclosing personal information about oneself and about others in various ways. In terms of empathy, the children recognized sensing the feelings of others affected by online disclosure. Importantly, we found that self-empathy, associated with psychological health and well-being, can shape children’s disclosure decisions. It can offer protection against harsh (self-)judgment and make individuals more able to notice what is right and what is wrong. Intriguingly, we found that children morally disapprove of parents disclosing information about their children without consent. They claimed their rights to privacy, autonomy and self-identity, disclosing personal information such as secrets, pictures and (negative) comments came across to them as an invasion of their privacy, often most critically when the ‘intruders’ are parents." (Mostmans et al., 2014, pp. 361-362)