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Empowering Your Child’s Future: The Importance of Securing Their Digital Identity
Digital Parenting: Reserve a Domain Name for Your Child
In today’s digital world, a person’s online presence holds as much significance as their name on a birth certificate. Though it may seem like a trend exclusive to tech enthusiasts, reserving a domain name and social media handles for your newborn is a pragmatic strategy for parents keen on safeguarding their children’s futures. This approach might not be the usual advice from financial advisors, but it carries substantial weight.
Anticipate the Future, Much Like Funding a College Education
If you already contribute to a college fund for your child, instill the values of hard work, and raise them with strong ethics, why not extend that foresight to their digital future? For just $10 to $20 a year, you can secure a domain name such as johnsmith.com or emilyjones.com. As your child grows, these domain names will become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to acquire. Consider the challenges people face when trying to claim short or unique domain names. It resembles the act of purchasing land before a new freeway changes the neighborhood.
Establishing a Digital Foundation
I have taken this step for all of my children, not to turn them into social media personalities, but because I recognize the value of preparation. The potential of using a reserved domain ranges from starting a business to enhancing their resume or simply maintaining a polished online profile. By securing it early, you provide them with a blank slate for future opportunities.
Avoiding Name Capture by Strangers or Corporations
Consider this vital truth: if you do not claim your child’s digital name, someone else likely will. Recall the story of the Brooklyn Nets and the infamous Nets.com. The entity that snatches up that digital name could be a stranger, a spambot, or a domain squatter. Once taken, getting it back is a daunting task.
We have already surrendered much of our personal data to large tech firms. Reserving your child’s domain name and social media handles serves as a proactive measure to reclaim some control. By acting now, you are not merely making a wise investment; you are prioritizing your family’s security.
This Is Not About Oversharing
Let me clarify: I do not advocate for creating an influencer profile for your baby where every milestone is documented online. We could undoubtedly do with less of that oversharing. Instead, I encourage you to simply reserve the spaces affiliated with your child’s name. Keep the accounts private and secure until your child is old enough to determine their use. This is a hallmark of responsible parenting.
Protecting Privacy While Fostering Freedom
Critics may argue that children should enjoy their childhood without heavy restrictions. However, safeguarding their privacy transcends locking doors or monitoring their interactions in person; it extends into their digital lives as well.
By reserving their online identity, you provide your child with greater freedom and flexibility in the future. This approach does not impose demands on them; rather, it presents options. Much in the same manner that you guide them in safe driving or budgeting skills, you empower them to navigate their online presence wisely.
Steps to Secure Your Child’s Digital Identity
If you are ready to take this proactive step, here are some recommendations:
- Choose a domain registrar and search for available name options based on your child’s name.
- Consider variations and different spellings to improve your chances of securing an appealing domain.
- Reserve social media handles on popular platforms to protect your child’s identity across various channels.
- Keep the domain and social media accounts private until your child is mature enough to decide their fate.
Final Thoughts on Securing Digital Identities
As a parent and a financial advisor with extensive experience guiding families, I believe in the importance of long-term thinking. This approach is not a fleeting trend; it is about preparation with a purpose.
In the current landscape, securing your child’s digital name holds equal importance to setting up a college savings account or teaching them about credit. For minimal annual costs, you can offer your child a valuable asset: ownership of their own name, both online and offline.
This proactive measure exemplifies what responsible parenting truly entails.
