Influencers and the Privacy of Minors: Respondents’ Views on the Impact on the Personal Data Protection

This paper explores the perceptions of influencer impact on the privacy and protection of personal data of children and young people in the contemporary digital environment. Considering the ubiquity of online media, the question of shaping children’s reality through influencer actions arises, while simultaneously examining the potential reach of the influence and impact of that interaction on the privacy and security of youth in the digital space. The subject of this research is the perception of influencer impact on minors. The aim of the paper is to investigate respondents’ perspectives on the potential influence of influencer interactions on the privacy and protection of personal data of children and young people. Another goal is to consider the extent to which parents of children and minors are critical of the influencer impact on minors, compared to respondents who do not have underage children. The research on this topic involves quantitative data collection, with an emphasis on critical analysis and a review of relevant literature, as well as survey research with use of statistical tests. The analysis of the results shows the awareness of adults about the possible influence of influencers on some aspects of minors and enables the identification of potential challenges, opportunities and solutions arising from influencer impact on the privacy of minors in the complex digital dynamics, aiming for further development of guidelines to enhance the protection of personal data in the digital environment.