Today, we celebrate Fathers’ Day—a moment to honour the strength, guidance, and unwavering protection fathers offer to their families. But in our increasingly digital world, protection has taken on new forms. Beyond shelter and security, fathers are now the first line of defense in an often-invisible arena: data protection. From the toddler with a tablet to the teenager on TikTok, children are growing up as digital citizens—exposed to platforms, apps, and data-hungry systems from a young age. In this new reality, a modern father’s role has evolved. Today’s dad is not just the keeper of the house key, but often the guardian of digital footprints.
So how exactly are fathers nurturing their children in data protection—and why does it matter?
Fathers as Digital Role Models
Children are great imitators. They watch how we act, not just what we say. Fathers who model responsible data behaviour are silently passing on vital lessons.
The dad who disables unnecessary app permissions on his phone before handing it to his child is teaching digital boundaries. The father who reads privacy policies before signing up for a “free” app shows that convenience should never outweigh caution. The parent who avoids oversharing family photos online reminds children that our lives are not public property.
In a world where personal data is currency, these small choices signal something big: that privacy is worth protecting.
Teaching Children to Value Privacy
Data protection starts with awareness. Fathers who engage their children in simple conversations about privacy lay a lifelong foundation for digital safety. “Why does this game need your location?” “What would you do if someone you don’t know messages you online?” “Should we post this photo, or keep it for ourselves?” These questions encourage critical thinking and challenge the notion that it’s okay to give away personal data freely. In doing so, fathers are cultivating more than caution—they’re nurturing digital independence and self-respect.
Setting House Rules for the Digital Age
Much like setting a curfew or insisting on helmet use, setting digital boundaries is part of parental care. Fathers who take time to define rules for device use, internet access, and app downloads are doing far more than limiting screen time—they are enforcing data discipline.
Some dads go further by:
Installing family-friendly browsers or parental controls Educating children about phishing and online scams Ensuring children use aliases or pseudonyms when playing online games Creating a “think before you post” rule
These house rules don’t stifle children. They empower them to be safe, smart digital citizens—the kind who will grow up knowing their data has value and their choices have consequences.
The Invisible Work: Consent and Oversight
Many children are using apps and games that require adult consent. Fathers who diligently review these terms, supervise app use, and give informed permission are acting as data guardians. In a family setting, the dad who ensures his child’s school doesn’t share photos without consent, or who opts out of data collection in educational apps, is quietly defending a fundamental right: the child’s right to privacy. In Ghana and globally, legal frameworks like the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) and international principles under the Convention on the Rights of the Child reinforce this responsibility. But it’s fathers on the ground who make it real—turning law into love.
Balancing Protection and Trust
It’s important to note: good data parenting isn’t about spying. It’s about guiding with trust. Fathers who educate, not just restrict, are nurturing confidence. They explain the “why” behind rules, invite children into decisions about what to share online, and teach them how to make informed digital choices. The goal is not to control, but to cultivate: a child who can navigate the digital world with wisdom, even when dad isn’t watching.
Fathers and the Future of Data Protection
Today’s children will live in a world where biometrics, facial recognition, and AI-driven profiling are routine. They’ll interact with smart cities, smart homes, and perhaps even smarter threats. The data protection habits they form today—thanks to fathers who care—will be their shield tomorrow. As privacy professionals, we often speak in policies, laws, and compliance frameworks. But at its core, data protection is deeply human. It’s about dignity, trust, and respect—values fathers teach every day, not just through words, but through action.
A Father’s Legacy: Safe and Seen
So today, on Father’s Day, let’s celebrate not just the fathers who taught us how to ride a bike or fix a broken toy, but also those who:
Taught us to log out of public Wi-Fi Warned us not to click unknown links Explained why our digital lives should remain ours
These are the fathers who raised not just strong children, but privacy-conscious citizens. And in a world that remembers everything, that is a powerful legacy to leave behind.
To all the dads watching over us—online and offline—thank you. You are the unsung heroes of our data stories.
Happy Father’s Day.
