Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

Parents warned to never post back-to-school photos of their children on social media

Emma Guinness

Published 
| Last updated 

Parents warned to never post back-to-school photos of their children on social media

Featured Image Credit: Ianni Dimitrov Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo/Leithan Partnership t/a Park Lane Pictures/Alamy Stock Photo

Up and down the country, parents are sending their children back to school for a new term and for many this involves celebratory photographs.

However, a warning has now been issued to any parents who might post these pictures on social media.

According to an Australian Police sergeant, parents could unknowingly be putting their children in danger with the popular practice.

Sergeant Nigel Dalton, from Queensland's Crime Prevention team, told Perth Now: "When somebody takes a photograph of a child in their school uniform, firstly you're identifying their school."

Advert
Parents have been urged to not upload pictures of their children in their school uniform on social media. Credit: Shutterstock
Parents have been urged to not upload pictures of their children in their school uniform on social media. Credit: Shutterstock

This is because the pictures could contain seemingly innocuous details - like street signs and number plates - that could be used to identify and locate the children.

"Unfortunately, that is the way we have to live and we have to protect our children as best as possible," he advised.

This warning was also echoed by home security experts, ADT, who advised that if parents do post the pictures, they should ensure the school logo isn't on show.

Advert

Glenn Amato, the ADT managing director, told the Liverpool Echo that back to school pictures could also pose a more general security risk.

He said: "As schools across the country reopen following the summer holidays this September, many well-meaning parents will be uploading photos of their children on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram to celebrate the milestone.

'Back to school' photos could pose a security risk. Credit: Alamy/PjrTravel
'Back to school' photos could pose a security risk. Credit: Alamy/PjrTravel

"But as social feeds become filled with seemingly harmless photos of smiling children and beaming parents, these images could sadly be opening households up to attacks from burglars and online fraudsters. The issue is that these images can end up unwittingly containing a wealth of personal information that could be dangerous in the wrong hands."

Advert

The managing director added that it's also of the utmost importance not to tag your children's location in pictures posted online.

As an extra precautionary measure, location data should have been turned off on mobile devices too.

A child playing a video game. Credit: Alamy/MMG1
A child playing a video game. Credit: Alamy/MMG1

Sergeant Dalton went on to identify another common practice that could be putting children in danger - playing video games.

Advert

This is because they are typically connected to the internet and could allow children to connect with adults online.

"If you don't know who your child is playing video games with, you should start finding out," he warned.

"The average age of a video-gamer in Australia is 34. There are going to be some people within that age group who are attracted to children."

Topics: Life, Parenting

Emma Guinness
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Life

Skincare expert explains science behind viral dark circles potato hack

6 minutes ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Rebel Wilson opens up on losing her virginity at age 35 as she says others 'shouldn’t feel pressured'

a day ago