Many parents want to share their children's growth milestones with family and friends but feel uneasy about posting on social media. This article covers the risks of posting children's photos on social media and safer alternatives.
Risks of Posting Children's Photos on Social Media
Digital Tattoo
Once posted on social media, photos may never fully disappear. Through screenshots and reposts, photos can remain online long after your child grows up.
Location Information Leaks
GPS coordinates in photo EXIF data, or buildings and signs visible in the background, can reveal your home address or school commute route.
Risk of Misuse
Children's photos may be used in ways never intended. Risks include unauthorized use as profile pictures or malicious editing.
Respecting Children's Autonomy
Young children cannot consent to having their photos published online. They may feel uncomfortable later in life knowing their childhood photos were publicly shared.
How to Share Photos Safely
Share with Limited Access
Instead of public social media posts, share with only specific people. PicTomo limits access to those with the URL and offers password protection.
Use a Service with Auto-Deletion
Use a service with expiration-based auto-deletion so shared photos don't remain online permanently. PicTomo automatically deletes after a maximum of 68 days (with Share Reward).
Remove GPS Information
Before sharing photos, check whether they contain GPS location data. PicTomo automatically removes GPS information on upload.
Choose Photos Without Faces
If you do want to post on social media, consider choosing photos showing children from behind or close-ups of hands instead of faces.
Summary
Children's photos are precious memories, but care is needed when sharing. Use limited-access services like PicTomo for sharing with family and close friends, and think carefully before posting on social media. Choose a service with automatic GPS removal, password protection, and expiration-based auto-deletion to safely share photos while protecting privacy.