Copyright & Credit

Children see all kinds of ideas, art, and creative content online , all the time. It may feel as if it is all free for the taking and they may even want to create new content themselves. They may look towards their peers and celebrities to determine what images, video, and words are ok to post and share. If you are active on social media, become your child's role model by developing netiquette, or safe and appropriate online communication.

They must also learn that  terms of agreement/use  may jeopardize their ownership, credit,  and control  of creative works that they share online. Many sites, including popular ones such as Facebook , reserve the right to save and use images you upload. Effectively they claim to own images that are uploaded. Adults and especially children don't always know the "true cost" of using "free" websites and email.

The work or ideas found online may be copyright, or legal right to publish original works or grant the right to others,  or be open to common use. Teach you child it is never ok to steal or borrow someone else's words, art, images for public or commercial  use. There are some exceptions that may apply which can be further understood under Fair Use.

Discuss  Fair Use policy with your young creators:

  • As long as you use limited and a new or transformative purpose of a copyrighted work, you do not need the permission from the copyright owner.
  • You can comment, critique, or use parts to even make a parody.
  • This does not mean you can take credit for the original work and should not credit the source.

Teach you child to:

  • Credit the original source of things they repost
  • Think before posting or uploading original ideas and content, especially as they may be  profitable in the future
  • Ask an adult how to legally protect their credit art, writing, or content they may want to share online.
  • Always advise you when clicking yes to the terms of agreement, go over it together and try to figure out what they are really agreeing to. Will they loose any rights to their original work?