29/01/2025
Shared from New Zealand Police: It's back to school time, and this usually means back to school photos ๐ซ๐ธ
The start of the school year is often memorable, and many people like to mark the occasion by sharing images of their children on social media in school uniform and in front of either their home or school.
Unfortunately, sometimes these images unintentionally share more than just a picture of a happy child โ they can share personal details that might put information about you and your family in the wrong hands.
While Police understand the importance of these milestones, parents and caregivers should remain cautious about the information that images posted on social media present and who can gain access to them.
While itโs rare for NZ Police to receive reports about children being located through information shared online in photos or videos, we know from our international counterparts that it does happen.
๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ปโ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ โฌ๏ธ
๐Check there are no identifying features such as school uniforms and logos, school buildings or signs, and street signs. This applies if you are taking photos at home as well. If this is unavoidable, parents can edit and blur school logos and signs.
๐Research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. Turning off location settings or setting profiles to private/friends only.
๐งKeeping your childโs personal information - including full name and age and what year theyโre starting - private.
๐ฒReport any inappropriate or suspicious behaviour online.
Be proactive with online safety to keep your child and their information safe as they head into a new school year.
Resource by our friends at Australian Federal Police | ThinkUKnow Australia
