Smile, Snap, Share: A Guide to Safer Back to School Photos
New backpack? Check.
Fresh outfit? Check.
Giant smile on the front porch? Check!
Every August, families across the country celebrate the start of a new school year with first day of school photos. Not only are they a fun tradition, but they’re also a great way to mark an important milestone and the start of a brand-new school year.
At NCMEC, we love seeing all those smiling faces excited about what lies ahead. However, before you hit "post," it's important to take one more look at what's in the picture. Sometimes, a photo can reveal more information about your child than you intended.
Before you share online, ask yourself a few simple questions:
What's written on that adorable first-day-of-school sign?
Those personalized chalkboards and printable signs are a favorite tradition, but take a closer look before you post. Does it show your child's full name, school, teacher, grade, age or favorite activities? It may even include details like a classroom number or homeroom assignment. While each piece of information may seem harmless on its own, together they can reveal a lot about your child and their daily routine. Before you post, consider whether every detail needs to be shared publicly.
Does the background give away more than you realize?
Parents are naturally focused on their child’s smile, but it’s worth taking a second look at everything else in the frame. House numbers, street signs, license plates, apartment numbers and recognizable neighborhood landmarks can all reveal more than you intended.
Are your location settings turned on?
Even if the photo itself doesn’t reveal your location, geotags, public stories or location-sharing features can. Double-check that you’re not accidentally sharing exactly where your child is.
Who can actually see this post?
Before you share a photo online, take a moment to review your audience. Is your post visible only to friends? Friends of friends? Or anyone on the internet? Adjusting your privacy settings can be just as important as reviewing the photo itself.
The good news is that protecting your child's privacy doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as taking 30 seconds to review your photo before you hit "post."
Before you post, ask yourself:
If any of those answers give you pause, consider cropping the photo, blurring identifying details or adjusting your privacy settings. A few small changes can help you celebrate this special milestone while keeping your family's privacy in mind.
And remember, the goal isn’t to avoid sharing important milestones in your child’s life with friends and family; it’s about making sure you’re doing so intentionally.
For more back to school safety tips, visit our website here: https://www.ncmec.org/backtoschool.