Three Tips to Keep Your Child Safe When Posting Their Photo Online

January 15, 2017

As a mom who both cares about my child's safety, yet loves sharing photos of her bright and cheery face I struggle with whether to post her picture online. I know many parents who have the same fears. I've figured out a few simple ways to be sure I am protecting her, but allowing others to enjoy all she has to offer the world through her sweet smile. Read on for three tips for keeping your children safe when posting their photos on social media.
It took me a year to post my baby's face online. I just couldn't get comfortable with it. Especially after reading another blogger's story about her baby's photos being stolen by children pornography sites, I wanted to vomit just thinking about posting my little one. But as she grew up and started to do cute things, and wear cute outfits, and hug me during our shoots, I didn't want to leave those things out. My website became an avenue through which I celebrate motherhood, so how could I leave her out of it? I decided it was time to figure out the best way to show her off without being too lax.

THREE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE WHEN POSTING THEIR PHOTO ON SOCIAL MEDIA

1. Make sure your child isn't looking directly into the camera lens.
Apparently predators prefer for their victims to make eye contact with them (seriously, absolutely disgusting), so they want the person to be looking straight into the lens. I try to be vigilant when posting G's photo and only pick ones where she is looking off, or looking down or even just the back of her head. I have tons of photos of her on my Instagram during her first year of life where it's just her little body, haha. A mom has to do what a mom has to do!

2. Watermark your photos.
This is something I do for every photo that Grace's face is showing at all. It sometimes doesn't look the prettiest, but I am to the point where that doesn't matter. with Photoshop and all sorts of editing software it may be a bit easier to steal photos, but for the most part, a watermark across their chest or near your child's face will help deter others from stealing your photos.

3. Try to post photos where the child has an adult in it.
Online predators prefer photos of just children, which is absolutely disgusting. Therefore, I am very selective in choosing photos where Grace is alone. More often than not I choose ones where she is turned away from me if I am not in the picture with her. Keeping you or another adult in the photo says "this is my baby, not yours, you sick, disgusting pervert." Okay, maybe I'm a bit over the top, but honestly - you don't mess with a mama bear and her cubs.
My Outfit: SIMILAR SWEATER HERE & HERE | DENIM | SHOES

 *Photos by Erika Greene Photography | @erikagreenephotography

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I truly hope these tips are helpful to you. I completely understand the struggle. I have a few friends who are so amazing and have held out in posting their children. I truly envy that decision and sometimes wish I had kept my word on it, but I just couldn't help but show her off!

Thank you so much for reading!



xo. L

15 comments:

  1. These are great tips! Horrible that we have to worry about these things!

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  2. I do these same things when posting my kid online! Serious mama bear mode over here too.

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  3. This is such an important post. I feel like most people do not realize all the dangers that could come with sharing your child's life online.

    Alicia | www.betweenthepearls.com

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  4. These are really good tips and so practical for this day and age!

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  5. Wow. I never thought about this since I don't have kids yet but this was so insightful. GREAT tips!

    xo, Amanda
    www.aglamlifestyle.com

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  6. This is SO IMPORTANT. I try to tell a lot of my friends who have kids that it's important. I had a friend who found out someone started a go fund me account for a fake child who was sick and was using her child's photos!

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  7. Wow these are great ideas!! I never would have thought of them!

    www.maggiealamode.com

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  8. These are such great tips! I don't have children, but I know a few people I would like to recommend this to ;)

    Shannon
    Clothes & Quotes

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  9. I don't have kids yet but this is def something to think about!


    Jenna from www.visionsofvogue.com

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  10. Wow, this is so hard to imagine! I don't have any kids yet, but I love how vigilant you are. Sweet mama bear! xoxo

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  11. I actually commend you for writing such an article. I feel like people are just really good at over sharing photos of their kids that they may need a reminder to protect the ones who are too young to object to being in an online platform. Really great post

    Meghan | beyondbasicblog.com

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  12. Thanks for these tips, I had no idea about the eye contact and looking into the lens. Will definitely share this post.

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  13. How sad that a post like this is even necessary. Thank you for the tips. I never even thought about these!

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