Before You Share Your Child’s Photos Online – Read This

Everyone wants to show off their kids. When you capture a cute photo at just the right moment it is hard to resist posting it on social media for all to see. Whether they are younger or in their teens, you should take precautions when posting any photos of your children online. Limiting the audience, and the types of photos you share online are just a few of the things you should be doing before sharing.

Limit the Audience

Let’s face it, many of us have many more acquaintances on our social media accounts than true friends that you trust implicitly. For social media sites, assign your close friends and family who you want to share photos of your child as ‘close friends’ or create your own audience.

When posting photos of your child, be sure they are only visible by people you know and trust. Do not put a photo of your child, or you and your child as your profile photo on social media accounts. Profile photos are almost always public for anyone to view.

Be Aware of What’s in the Photo and What You Post

I see this time and time again, parents posting photos that unintentionally give out location information. For instance, if you are taking a photo of your child at the bus stop on their first day of school – be sure you exclude the street sign from the photo. Posting this photo can give potential predators the exact location and approximate time your child will be at the stop.

Be aware of anything in the background or something that could be zoomed in on to identify the location. This could be as simple as taking a photo of your child eating breakfast with a piece of mail on the table that shows your address.

Also, avoid posting specific information on a post with your child that could give an indication of your location. For instance, do not post something like “Had a great time at Central Park – so glad it’s right down the road!”

Clothing is Not Optional

Never post photos of your children when they are not fully clothed. Although showing off how cute their little butt running around in a diaper or with no shirt on can be tempting – just don’t do it. This may seem a little outrageous, but the fact is, pedophiles lurk in every corner of the world – especially the internet.

Even after you’ve closed the groups of people that can see your child’s photos, never post photos of them if they are not fully clothed.

Grace Wells

Grace Wells grew up in the kind of town where no one locked their doors and parents felt safe letting their kids wander. Things have changed a lot since then. As a mother today, Grace has to worry about so much more than skinned knees and hurt feelings.

Grace believes the best way to keep kids safe is to stay informed. She hopes that her work at Kids Safety 101 makes a difference in children’s lives so that they can grow up as carefree as she did.

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