Georgia deputies issue warning on back-to-school photo trends
The Haralson County Sheriff's Office is warning parents before they post their kids first day back to school photos online. (Credit: Haralson County Sheriff's Office)
HARALSON COUNTY, Ga. - The first day of school is a milestone many parents are eager to celebrate online, but one Georgia sheriff's office is urging families to think twice before sharing those picture-perfect moments.
Think twice before posting first-day school photos
What we know:
The first day of school is a milestone many parents are eager to celebrate online, but one Georgia sheriff's office is urging families to think twice before sharing those picture-perfect moments.
The Haralson County Sheriff's Office is reminding parents that those popular first-day-of-school photos posted for hundreds or even thousands of social media followers can unintentionally provide valuable information to predators.
"Those cute first day of school photo trends that you share with 5,000 of your 'closest friends' can be a gateway for predators to know information about your child that makes them unsafe," the sheriff's office said in a social media post.
What parents should avoid sharing
What you can do:
Many back-to-school signs include personal details that may seem harmless but can help strangers identify or locate a child.
Safety experts recommend avoiding photos or captions that reveal:
- The name of a child's school
- The child's teacher's name
- Grade level or classroom number
- Age or birth date
- Home address or neighborhood
- School logos, bus numbers or other identifying details
- A daily routine, such as when a child leaves for school
Even if a child's face is the main focus of the photo, details in the background can reveal more than parents realize.
Ways to share more safely
Parents don't have to stop celebrating the first day of school, but they can take a few steps to better protect their children's privacy.
Consider:
- Reviewing your social media privacy settings and limiting who can see your posts.
- Sharing photos only with close family and friends instead of making them public.
- Posting photos after your child has arrived safely at school rather than in real time.
- Cropping or blurring school names, house numbers and other identifying information.
- Using a plain background instead of a customized sign filled with personal details.
A reminder for the new school year
What they're saying:
The Haralson County Sheriff's Office says the goal isn't to discourage parents from celebrating an exciting milestone. Instead, deputies hope families will think carefully about how much personal information they're sharing online and take simple steps to help keep children safe.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Haralson County Sheriff's Office, who posted safety recommendations on social media.