The Better Business Bureau has issued an alert about the dangers posed when parents share back-to-school photos. While the tradition of sharing photos of our children heading back to school may be innocent, predators have found ways to use that information to target children as they leave their parent’s side in pursuit of their education.
According to the BBB, the issue is expected to be more “pervasive and dangerous” this year.
“Every student is at potential risk, from preschoolers to graduate students,” says Steve J. Bernas, BBB president and CEO. “The threats include identity theft, financial loss, and even safety concerns. It’s important for parents and children to remain vigilant,” he added in his public statement.
Too Much Personal Information Is Shared In Back-To-School Photos
The BBB warns parents that their children should not hold “first day of school” signs that clearly display their name and grade. The agency goes one step further, telling parents, “It’s safer to avoid posting photos of children on the internet.”
Here are some of the agencies’ recommendations for your child’s safety as they head back to school.
Avoid sharing personal details about your child: This includes not sharing your child’s name, age, and height. Parents are also cautioned against having their children post in their school uniforms.
Leave off information about kids’ schools. Your child’s school name is an obvious thing to avoid, but so is their teacher’s name, the school’s location, such as city or state, and any other information that can allow predators to pinpoint your child’s location.
Choose generic backgrounds for your photos. Don’t post in front of an easy-to-spot building, your home, or other locations that can be found on Google Maps and via other online means. The BBB suggests using a generic background.
Teach Your Children To Avoid Predators On Their Electronic Devices
It’s a good idea to ensure your children have a strong grasp on how to avoid online predators. The agency says to teach your kids to avoid phone “friend requests” which means never accepting requests from strangers. Even if it appears a friend is sending the request, they should ask that friend in person if it was really their request since scammers and predators will often set up fake accounts.
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure your child’s social network accounts are also set to private. Don’t allow them to post to public feeds, and routinely monitor their accounts. You can do this manually or with a child safety and monitoring program such as the Bark App.
“The good news is that technology also provides products to consider that may help with safety,” Bernas explains. “Parents can investigate the gadgets and apps available to know their child’s location and monitor what they see online. You can even see your child’s emails with one product. Another blocks inappropriate material. Several let you set screen time limits. Some watches have a button on it for your child to press in an emergency to notify the authorities. That is much easier than trying to make a phone call.”
At the end of the day, it’s a parent’s decision how they celebrate their children’s back-to-school moments, but a little common sense can go a long way in protecting your children from scammers and online predators.
In the meantime, check out our post on what teachers wish parents knew before the new school year starts.
