How to Share Photos Safely Online and Know When to Keep Them Private Instead
The unauthorized use of personal imagery may be one of the biggest digital risks that our kids face. Understanding the facts and risks can help families decide what to keep private and why...
In an era where kids communicate via visual content that is often shared publicly, the risk of the content being abused (and living in digital perpetuity) can cause immense tension within families.
As it is, parents and caregivers face unprecedented challenges in safeguarding their children's privacy online, full stop. But unfortunately, mitigating the risk of image-related content should be a top priority right now.
As technology advances with deepfakes, facial recognition, and AI-generated content, even innocent photos (not the least of which those created at school, such as during sports or for the yearbook) may pose unforeseen risks in the years ahead.
We aren’t powerless to reduce this risk. So, hopefully, the few thoughts here can get you started.
How Digital Imagery Sharing Can Go Wrong and What Parents Can Do
As someone who thinks, consults, and writes all day about technology and its impact on our lives, helping people to understand the problem is challenging.
Often our understanding of risk is tied to our own personal experience of consequences. And, of course, like our kids, if we haven’t been touched by fraud, identity theft, deepfakes or other abuse, it’s difficult to elevate this issue.
But for the same reason we try to eat healthy, poor habits in storing, sharing, and maintaining digital imagery can have devastating consequences.
The Experts Weigh In
“The Risks and Dangers of 'Sharenting,” 'The Cleveland Clinic (May 29, 2024)
“What to Know About the Dangers of Sharenting,” Parents (July 29, 2024)
“How to Teach Kids The Importance of Digital Privacy,” Time (May 2, 2025)
Protecting Yourself While Using The Internet, Department of Justice (Jan 30, 2025)
Photo editing and the risk of anorexia nervosa among children, Italian Journal of Pediatrics (2024)
List of Specific Risks
⚠️ Long-term Digital Persistence
Photos posted online can remain accessible for decades, potentially affecting your child's future opportunities and privacy.
⚠️ Identity Theft and Financial Fraud
Photos containing personal information can be used to create fraudulent accounts or steal identities.
⚠️ Deepfake Vulnerability
As AI technology advances, images of your child could be manipulated into realistic but fabricated videos or photos.
⚠️ Location Tracking
Metadata in photos can reveal your home address, frequented locations, and routines.
⚠️ Facial Recognition Databases
Photos may be scraped to build facial recognition databases without your consent.
Guidelines to Protect Your Family
This isn’t about going from zero to lock down. Every single security-tightening change you make will impact risk for the better. Think of it, again, like eating well. You know that for every piece of fruit or cup of vegetables, you are contributing to change. It’s the same here.
Getting Started
Hopefully, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to jump in and makes changes.
🍐 Audit Your Privacy Settings Regularly
Review and update privacy settings on all social platforms quarterly
Disable facial recognition features when possible
Restrict who can tag your family in photos
Create private albums for family-only sharing
🍅 Consider Content Before Posting
Avoid sharing photos showing full faces in public forums
Never post images showing birthmarks or identifying features
Skip sharing photos of significant milestones that might be used as security questions later (first day of school, birthdays)
Eliminate images containing school uniforms, team names, or locations
🥑 Scrub Your Metadata
Turn off location services for your camera app
Use metadata-removing apps before sharing photos
Disable automatic cloud backups for sensitive images
Avoid platforms that don't allow you to control image rights
🍉 Establish Family Sharing Rules
Create clear boundaries with friends and family about what they can share
Ask relatives to request permission before posting images of your children
Consider a family password for photos that are approved for sharing
Establish consequences for boundary violations
🥝 Use Secure Alternatives to Public Platforms
Utilize encrypted photo-sharing services
Consider password-protected cloud storage for family photos
Use temporary sharing links that expire
Explore dedicated family sharing apps with enhanced privacy controls
🫛 Educate Your Children as They Grow
Teach children about digital footprints early (around age 5-6)
Establish the concept of "photo consent" within your family
Involve children in decisions about which photos are shared as they mature
Model healthy online sharing behaviors yourself
🍒 Implement Technical Safeguards
Use apps that blur or obscure children's faces before posting
Consider digital watermarking for important images
Enable two-factor authentication on all photo storage accounts
Regularly search your child's name and image to monitor unauthorized sharing
Platform-Specific Settings
✅ Instagram
Use Close Friends lists for more personal content
Avoid public accounts entirely for family photos
Disable "Suggest Similar Accounts" features
Regularly review tagged photos
✅ Facebook
Create specific friend lists for family content
Disable facial recognition
Adjust tagging permissions to require review
Use the Privacy Checkup tool quarterly
✅ TikTok
If sharing, use private account settings only
Disable "Suggest your account to others"
Turn off "Allow others to find you"
✅ Cloud Storage (Google Photos, iCloud)
Disable automatic face grouping features
Create separate accounts for family photos
Use strong, unique passwords
Enable available encryption options
✅ Messaging Apps (WhatsApp, Telegram)
Disable automatic saving to camera roll
Use disappearing message features for sensitive photos
Verify encryption status of the platform
Be cautious with group chats where members can save and reshare
Create a Family Media Plan
As your children grow, involve them in decisions about their digital presence. Consider:
Annual family meetings to review and delete old content
Creating offline-only photo albums for more sensitive memories
Discussing future implications of today's sharing decisions
Teaching children to advocate for their own privacy as they mature
👎 What Happens When Tool Late & Damage Control Is Needed
If you discover concerning content involving your child online:
Document everything with screenshots
Contact the platform directly to request removal
Consider using DMCA take down notices when applicable
For serious concerns, consult with an attorney specializing in digital privacy
Protecting your child's digital footprint is an ongoing commitment that evolves as technology changes. By implementing these strategies, you can enjoy sharing special moments while minimizing potential future risks.
Remember that the digital legacy you create for your child today will follow them into adulthood—make choices that give them the freedom to define their own online identity as they grow.