With the advent of social media, phota sharing has become a norm in many societies. Cute kids on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and all.
While sharing your kids’ photos may be fun many times, it may also invite some discomfort or even danger for you and your kids. In this age of cyber bullying with memes and child predators, sharing your kids’ photos may predispose them to embarrassment and breach security and privacy. Hence it is very important to weight it very wel before you push that share button.
Here are seven types of photos of your kids that should never get unto the social media.
1. Bath time
Any photo of your child partially or completely naked, like while he is bathing, is not for public consumption. Unfortunately, what you think is a darling moment of your three tots sudsing up can—cringe-worthy though it may be—fall into the wrong hands, such as those of child pornographers.
2. When they’re sick or injured
As parents, it’s our job to protect our kids, not take advantage of them. Ask yourself this question: Would you want someone posting pictures of you while you’re feeling lousy? Probably not. Apply that standard when you consider what to post and what not to.
3. Shaming photos
Child shaming online seems to be all the rage, but this practice can have devastating effects on kids in the short and long term. Not only does shaming violate trust between parents and children, it may cause post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety later in life.
4. On the potty
Photos of your kiddos doing their business are best kept private when you think of potential future consequences. Remember, anything you share online lasts forever; do you really think your teen wants to see a shot of himself doing No. 2 for the first time?
5. Private details
Keep children safe by never sharing their full names, addresses, where they go to school, if they are babysitting alone somewhere, etc. online. You don’t know who might use this information for purposes other than what was intended.
6. Group pictures
If you decided to share photos of your kids online, great. But it’s not okay to make this decision for other parents, who may not feel comfortable having their children’s faces plastered all over social media. Make sure you have clearance to post any group picture of your child posing or playing with others.
7. Photos exposing weakness
Consider how posting certain pictures online may impact your child at school. For instance, a picture exposing a weakness, fear or maybe a silly nickname could humiliate your child and have repercussions on his social life.
