Children's advocacy groups have warned those who disseminate photos and video clips of children on social media risk legal action for violating their basic rights.
Child and Youth Media Institute (CYMI) manager Khemporn Wiroonrapun said people who post and share photos and clips of children -- regardless of whether they are their own children or young relatives -- on social media could be punished under the Child Protection Act.
The distribution of pictures or videos infringes on their privacy and could harm a child's safety with their personal details being exposed to the public, she said.
Ms Khemporn was speaking at a seminar on children's rights in Bangkok.
The seminar, co-hosted by the Family Network Foundation and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, was also attended by representatives from the CYMI, the Mental Health Department (MHD) and the Children and Youth Department (CYD).
Ms Khemporn said a recent surge in the number of children's photos and clips uploaded and shared on the internet showed people today think nothing of recording the activities of their children or young relatives and making them public on social networks.
However, people are not aware their actions violate children's rights, she added.
MHD deputy director-general Panpimol Wipulakorn said children are defenceless and unable to decide whether they want their photos and clips shared.
"Photos and video clips featuring a child being teased taken by their parents or relatives and distributed online could endanger his or her life," she said.
She pointed to the possibility of a child being kidnapped.
People should use social media responsibly and constructively, Dr Panpimol said, adding in some countries, photographing children without their parent's consent is an offence.
Meanwhile, Sappasit Kumprabhan, president of the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights Foundation, said pictures of acts of violence against children, often aired on social media, could harm any children who see them.
Theppawan Poranawilai, a youth expert from the CYD, said the agency was now working on strategies to raise public awareness on proper social media use with regard to children's rights.
Information on actions and laws relating to children's rights will be disseminated to the public via government agencies, she added.