For millions of families, the first day of school brings a familiar tradition: snapping a photo of children in new clothes, backpacks, and shoes before they head into the classroom.
Police and child-safety officials, however, warn that those cheerful first-day photos can reveal far more information than parents may realize.
A single image can disclose a child’s name, age, grade, school, teacher, favorite activities, and other personal details.
When posted publicly, that information can make it easier for strangers to identify a child, learn their daily routine, or determine where they spend their time, according to Nexstar.
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has advised parents not to include a child’s full name, school, teacher’s name, height, birthday, or age in social media posts.
The department said personal details could potentially be used by strangers to deceive a child or establish familiarity.
SAPD suggested simplifying commemorative signs. For example, parents could use “first day of school” rather than identifying a specific grade.
The Sterlington Police Department in Louisiana has also warned parents to examine the background of photographs before posting them.
Images showing a school building, home, street sign, or other recognizable location could reveal information about where a child lives or spends time.
The department recommended using a plain background without identifying details.
Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott has warned that information shared on social media can provide predators with insight into a child’s daily routine.
Elliott advised parents to leave out school names, grades, and specific teacher information in an interview with KAIT 8.
He also recommended checking social media privacy settings to ensure photographs are limited to people the family trusts.
San Antonio police spokesperson Camelia Juarez said seemingly minor details about a child’s school or transportation could make it easier for strangers to determine where the child routinely spends time, according to KSTAT.
Greg Schiller, CEO of the Child Rescue Coalition, said photographs can also reveal information about a family’s home.
According to Schiller, even when a house number is not visible, someone could potentially use a photograph with reverse-image search technology to identify the property’s address.
Police have also raised concerns about seemingly harmless information placed on first-day signs.
Details such as a child’s favorite color, pet, or food could potentially be used by a stranger attempting to establish trust.
Juarez said strangers do not need access to extensive information to create the impression that they know a child or the child’s family.
Schiller said parents should not assume that a private social media account guarantees an image will remain private.
Someone who can view a photograph could reshare it, allowing people outside the original audience to see it.
He also said advances in artificial intelligence have created additional concerns because photographs of children can potentially be manipulated to create sexualized images.
The warnings do not advise parents to stop taking first-day-of-school photographs.
Instead, SAPD recommends using neutral backgrounds and removing identifying information before posting.
Parents who want additional privacy can also consider taking photographs from behind or covering a child’s face before sharing an image online.
Law enforcement officials said families can continue celebrating the start of a new school year while limiting the amount of personal information made publicly available.
