DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 6 -- THERE is a generation growing up in Tanzania today whose childhoods are being documented in real time. Birthdays, school events, hospital visits, report cards, dance videos, family holidays, even moments of tears and mistakes are captured, posted, forwarded, and archived.

Long before a child understands what personal data is, fragments of their lives are already online, searchable, shareable, and in many cases, permanent.

The uncomfortable truth is this: children do not create most of their digital footprints. we the adults do. Parents, teachers, relatives and institutions post because they are proud, excited, or eager to share milestones. A first day at school becomes a Facebook or Instagram album.

A funny mis...