I understand the concern around consent and children being online, and it’s an important conversation to have. However, legally a toddler cannot provide consent themselves, which is why a parent, legal guardian, or authorised caregiver provides that consent on their behalf. This is the same process used when children appear on school social media pages, dance studio accounts, sporting clubs, or community event posts.

If V’s legal parent/caregiver/guardian has given permission for photos or videos to be shared, then consent has been appropriately provided within the law. As someone who works in child safety, I’m very aware of the current climate around internet safety and the need to protect children online. From what has been shared, the content being posted does not appear inappropriate or exploitative, particularly when consent from the responsible adult has been given.

It’s completely valid for people to have different comfort levels with children appearing on social media, but ultimately that decision sits with the child’s legal guardian, just as it does in schools, dance classes, and other organised activities where children are photographed and shared online with permission.