Back-to-School Photos Pose Risks: Officials Advise Parents on Safety Measures

Social media trends could endanger children's privacy, safety, experts warn

Photo byMatt RaglandonUnsplash

CHICAGO- As the new school year approaches, a common tradition among parents is to capture and share their children's back-to-school photos. However, officials are raising concerns about the potential dangers associated with this practice. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning, urging parents to exercise caution when sharing these images online.

Steve J. Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB, emphasized that the risks associated with sharing back-to-school photos extend to students of all ages, from preschoolers to those in graduate school. The threats include identity theft, financial loss, and safety issues. Bernas stressed the importance of vigilance for both parents and children when posting personal information online.

The BBB's warning highlights how seemingly innocent photos can inadvertently reveal sensitive information. Many back-to-school images feature children holding signs that display personal details such as their names, grades, and schools. While these images may seem harmless, they can provide valuable information to scammers and predators.

To minimize risks, the BBB advises parents to carefully consider the information they share in back-to-school photos. Avoid including personal details such as the child's full name, age, or school name in the images. Additionally, parents should be cautious about the background of the photos, ensuring that house numbers or school names are not visible.

For those who choose to share photos, the BBB recommends several precautions. First, avoid posting pictures that display uniforms or other identifying information. Second, consider using generic backgrounds that do not reveal the location. These steps can help protect children from potential harm.

In addition to advice for parents, the BBB also provides guidance for students, particularly those who use social media. The organization warns against accepting friend requests from strangers, as these could be attempts by scammers to access personal information. Even friend requests from individuals who appear to be known contacts should be scrutinized, as impostors may be attempting to gain access to a user's information and friends list.

Students are also encouraged to regularly review and update their social media privacy settings. This includes removing personal information such as phone numbers or addresses from their profiles. Ensuring that only trusted individuals can view their posts is another important step in safeguarding privacy.

While the risks are real, Bernas noted that technology also offers solutions to enhance safety. Parents can explore various gadgets and apps designed to monitor their children's online activity and location. Some products allow parents to track emails, block inappropriate content, and set screen time limits. Others include features such as an emergency button that children can use to notify authorities, providing a faster and more efficient way to seek help than making a phone call.

The BBB's warning extends beyond younger children to college and graduate students, who may face different but equally concerning risks. These students are often targeted by scams involving credit cards or school tuition payments. Fake emails, texts, or phone calls purporting to be from school officials may attempt to collect personal information or install malware on devices. The BBB advises students to verify any such messages directly with the relevant office before taking action.

Another common scam involves offers for credit cards that are actually designed to steal the applicant's identity. Students are encouraged to be cautious when applying for credit cards and to verify the legitimacy of any offers they receive.

To further protect themselves, students should take steps to secure important documents such as Social Security cards, passports, and bank statements. These items should be stored in a safe location to prevent theft. Additionally, any credit card offers or other paper documents containing sensitive information should be shredded before being discarded, particularly in dormitory settings.

When conducting transactions online, students are advised to only use secure websites, which can be identified by the "HTTPS" prefix and a lock symbol in the address bar. Protecting passwords is also crucial; students should use strong, unique passwords for each site and avoid sharing them with others.