Protecting Childhood in a Digital World
When Bowtastic began back in 2013, social media was a very different place. It felt smaller, more personal, and far less permanent. Like many small businesses at the time, I occasionally shared photos of my own children wearing our hair accessories.
In 2018, that changed.
As both a parent and a business owner, I began to reflect more deeply on what it truly means to share a child’s image online. The internet had evolved. Platforms were growing rapidly. Content was being shared, reshared, saved, downloaded and redistributed at a scale none of us could have imagined in the early days.
Today, our social media accounts have the potential to reach over 4 million people worldwide. With that reach comes responsibility.
Why We Chose to Become a Faceless Brand
Children cannot fully understand or consent to the long-term impact of having their images shared publicly. Every photo contributes to a digital footprint - one that may follow them into their teenage years and adulthood. What feels sweet and innocent today may simply not be something they would have chosen for themselves later in life.
I reached a point where I no longer felt comfortable contributing to that footprint - not for my own children, and not for anyone else’s.
That is when Bowtastic became a proudly faceless brand.
The Reality of the Online World
Over the years, I have also witnessed something else happening within the small business community: images being taken without permission.
Many brands have experienced their photos appearing on third-party wholesaler websites or unfamiliar online marketplaces. Once an image is copied and circulated, it becomes incredibly difficult and sometimes impossible to have it completely removed. What begins as a simple product photo can quickly travel far beyond its original purpose.
When children are in those images, the stakes feel even higher.
Choosing not to feature children is one way we can reduce that risk and act responsibly in a digital environment that is constantly changing.
Our Values Moving Forward
Bowtastic is built on creativity, colour, and joy but also on integrity. Our hair accessories are designed for little ones, but their privacy matters more than promotion ever will.
We believe childhood should be protected.
We believe consent matters.
We believe a business can thrive without placing children at the centre of its marketing.
Becoming a faceless brand wasn’t about stepping back - it was about stepping up.
Thank you for supporting a brand that chooses to put children’s privacy first, while still creating beautiful accessories made to be worn, loved and enjoyed in real life - not for the internet.