Parents urged to exercise caution when sharing back-to-school pictures on the internet
The Englewood Police Department in Ohio has released a set of safety tips aimed at protecting children from potential online predators during the back-to-school season. These community efforts emphasize the importance of keeping back-to-school photos simple and not oversharing personal information.
According to the Englewood Police Department, parents should avoid sharing their child's full name, school or teacher's name, or exact location in back-to-school photos. This advice includes a reminder to "pause before you post" and keep photos as simple as possible.
The department also warns against sharing a child's birthday in back-to-school photos. Parents are encouraged to be mindful of what is included in the background of their photos, as a simple online search could potentially reveal the physical location of a school or where students are being picked up. It's important to check photo backgrounds to ensure they aren't accidentally revealing location identifiers, logos, or other children's images.
The Englewood Police Department's safety tips are available on their social media platforms. They encourage parents to ensure privacy settings on social media accounts are properly configured to limit the audience. Consider sharing photos in private, trusted groups rather than public feeds, and be cautious about geo-tagging images that could expose the child’s location.
These safety tips are relevant to parents of students who are heading back to school. By following these guidelines, parents can help ensure their children's safety and privacy in the digital age.
