As we enter the back-to-school season, social media becomes a canvas painted with the joyous faces of children and their proud parents. For many parents, especially those working remotely, the start of school is a relief!
Sharing those adorable first-day photos can be a wonderful way to mark the occasion. However, taking a few safety measures can protect your family’s privacy.
Here are some easy tips to keep your children safe online:
Disable Location Services: Before posting, turn off the location settings on your camera or phone. Alternatively, consider posting a screenshot of the photo instead of the original. This prevents geotagging which could inadvertently reveal your location or your child’s school.
Check the Background: Look closely at what’s in the background of your photos. Remove or blur details like house numbers, school signs, or any distinctive landmarks that might disclose personal details.
Modify School and Team Logos: Ensure your child’s privacy by cropping out or blurring school and team logos in their photos. Clothing and accessories featuring these logos can accidentally give away personal information.
School names or team affiliations could provide potential predators with information about your child’s whereabouts. It’s also a tool for online groomers to create trust based on false familiarity.
While sharing such photos can feel like a moment of pride, ask yourself, “Is this share necessary?” Sometimes, it might be safer to keep those happy memories to a private gallery on your phone.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and social engineering threats are real and ever-present. If you have additional safety tips, please share them in the comments below.
Remember, your family’s safety comes first. Stay vigilant and enjoy sharing online smartly and safely!