As families across Collin County prepare for the upcoming school year, the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County is urging parents to exercise caution when sharing back-to-school photos online.
The center's Community Educator, Jessica Carlisle and Detective Tallo emphasize the importance of protecting children's personal information from potential predators and scammers.
Back-to-school photos are a cherished tradition for many families, but it's essential to be mindful of the information you're putting out there. “As back-to-school photos begin to fill timelines everywhere, please be mindful not to overshare your child’s personal information (your child’s school name, classroom teacher, age, etc.) online.,” reads the center’s Facebook page. Even seemingly harmless details can be used by those with malicious intent.
Parents are advised to avoid sharing specific information in online posts, including their child's school name, age, teacher's name and other identifying features such as height, weight and birthmarks. Additionally, details that could create common ground for strangers — such as sports, hobbies, or favorite places — should be kept private.
While social media platforms offer privacy settings, Carlisle and Detective Tallo stress that these measures are not foolproof. "It's always better to err on the side of caution," the Facebook post advises, highlighting the risks of oversharing in a digital age where information can be easily accessed and misused.
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