‘A stranger followed her home’: Why Priyanka Chopra Jonas uses security to shield daughter Malti’s privacy; why protecting children’s autonomy is non

Priyanka Chopra Jonas opens up about why she is increasingly ‘deflecting’ attention away from her daughter, Malti Marie.

Raising children in an increasingly digital and hyperconnected world has introduced new challenges for parents, particularly regarding privacy and safety.

Recently, Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke about why she prefers to keep her daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, away from the public spotlight for now.

Speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast hosted by Amanda Hirsch, she explained that as her daughter grows older, she wants to give her as much privacy and normalcy as possible.

Priyanka said that her approach is centred on letting her child grow up without unnecessary attention while still understanding the reality of public curiosity.

“As she’s growing older, we’ve started to also kind of just deflect a little bit.

She moves around a lot, so we let her have as much anonymity as she can.

It is her normal, and people will be curious about her, and I never want her to be fearful of that or judgmental or sceptical of the humans that she meets, because there are good people in the world, and I’ve had wonderful experiences with friends like that.

It’s okay for her to be aware of it, but to have a sense of choice, I think, will be important (sic),” she said.

But why is it important for children to have a sense of privacy and autonomy?

Counselling psychologist Athul Raj tells indianexpress.com , “Children internalise a sense of self when they feel ownership over their lives.

In today’s age of viral social media, a single photo can reach thousands within hours, creating exposure that a child may not be equipped to handle emotionally.

Giving children the choice to appear in public spaces — or online — reinforces agency, self-respect, and emotional safety.

It teaches them that they have control over what others see, and that their comfort is valid.”
A healthy balance between protecting children’s safety and allowing them to interact confidently with the world
Children need exposure to the world — playgrounds, social gatherings, public events — but with boundaries that shield them from real harm.

This might mean supervising interactions, controlling digital exposure, or negotiating which moments are photographed.

Psychological impact of unwanted public attention on children
Persistent observation or unsolicited attention can make children anxious, self-conscious, and hesitant to express themselves authentically.

They may internalise the idea that their worth is tied to others’ approval, stunting emotional growth.