The paper investigates the ethical issues in the media portrayal of children, focusing on privacy protection, the impact of social media on children, and digital and media literacy. The objective is to review existing literature and research on how children are represented in the media, how to safeguard their privacy, and to understand media literacy among parents and children as a crucial factor in responsible media platform use. Additionally, the paper reviews research on the harmful effects of media on children, with particular attention to the careless sharing of children's personal information. The first part of the paper addresses the importance of mental health, emphasizing the vulnerability of children as a sensitive group and the need for proper media protection. It reviews laws and ethical norms for journalists, focusing on literature discussing violations of these laws in Croatia. The paper then examines the portrayal of children in Croatian media and the role of digital and media literacy in enhancing the ability of children and parents to protect themselves from inappropriate content. The paper offers a review of literature on the impact of social media on children's privacy, including risks associated with sharing personal information and potential consequences. Finally, it provides a review of relevant laws and sources on the topic of child protection across various media platforms. This review enables a deeper understanding of the ethical challenges in reporting on children and their presence on digital platforms, and offers guidelines for improving the protection of children's privacy.