Digital parenting: Why you should reserve a domain name for your new babyWe live in a world where your name online matters almost as much as your name on a birth certificate. And while it might sound like something only Silicon Valley types would do, buying a domain name and reserving social media handles for your newborn isnt some far-fetched tech trendits potentially a smart, proactive move for parents who care about protecting their kids futures. Not the typical advice youd get from a financial expert.Think ahead, like you do with a college fundIf youre already putting away money for your childs education, teaching them the value of hard work, and raising them with good values, why not also secure their digital future?For $10 to $20 a year, you can purchase a domain likejohnsmith.comoremilyjones.comsomething that will be increasingly difficult (if not impossible) to get by the time theyre adults. Just think about how hard it is to reserve a 3-letter, 4-letter, or even 5-letter domain name. Its the digital version of buying land before a new highway goes into your neighborhood.MOM PRAISES VIRAL PARENTING TACTIC AS SHE ALLOWS HER KIDS TO PLAY BY THEMSELVES: WHOLE NEW WORLDIve done this for all my kids. I didnt do it to make them TikTok stars. I did it because, as a financial expert and a parent, I know the power of being prepared. Whether they want to start a business one day, use it for their resume, or simply create a clean professional online profile, theyll already have the blank canvas ready to go.Dont let Big Tech or strangers own your kids nameHeres the truth that most people dont think about: if you dont reserve your childs digital name, someone else will. Does anyone remember the Brooklyn Nets and the story ofNets.com? When it comes to domain names, it might be a stranger, a spammer, or a foreign domain squatter. And once it's taken, good luck getting it back.Weve already handed over too much of our personal data to Big Tech. This is a chance to take some control back. By locking down your childs domain and social media handles early, youre not just making a smart moveyoure protecting your family.This isnt about oversharingLet me be crystal clear: Im not suggesting you create a baby influencer account and post every milestone online. We could use less of that. Quite the opposite. You dont need to publish a single photo or make anything public.Just reserve the space. Keep it private. Hold onto it until your child is old enough to decide for themselves what they want to do with it. Thats called responsible parenting.Protect their privacy, secure their futureCritics will say, "let kids be kids." But protecting them doesnt stop at locking your doors or watching who they talk to at schoolit extends to the digital world, too.Reserving their online name is a way to give your child more freedom and flexibility later. Youre not forcing anything on themyoure giving them options. The same way you teach them to drive safely or manage a budget, youre teaching them to be smart about their online presence.How to do it rightIf youre ready to take action, heres what I recommend:Final thoughtsCLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONAs a dad and someone whos helped thousands of wealthy families with financial matters, its just common sense to be thinking long-term. This isnt about hypeits about being prepared.In todays world, securing your childs digital name is just as smart as setting up a college savings account or teaching them how to build good credit. For a few bucks a year, you can give your child something of real value: ownership of their own name, online and off.Thats what I call good parenting.