Why photos are not the most harmful thing we share about our kids online

Many parents are aware posting photos of their children online comes with risk.

Harms can range from unpleasant to dangerous, including images being "manipulated for evil" or those breaching a child's consent.

Joanne Orlando, a digital wellbeing researcher at Western Sydney University, says parents are becoming more careful about what they post and how often.

But it's not only photos that can be harmful for your child.

Dr Orlando says often "it's the minor details" shared that can be most dangerous.

And coming into Christmas and summer holidays, when family and friends are making and sharing memories, it's an important time to talk about what's at risk.

What are you revealing about your child's life?

Sometimes it's the details in a photo, its caption, or comments by friends and family that can reveal the most about your child, says Dr Orlando.

For example, a photo of your little girl at dance class may include a sign in the distant background indicating the suburb or street it takes place.

A caption that states "she's not amazing at dancing, but we keep trying, she's a trouper" says something about your child's character.

Or a comment from a friend — "We love XYZ dance school!" — revealing where your daughter attends.

Dr Orlando says these details can paint a picture of your child's identity, lifestyle and personality.

"That can really stick with the child as they get older," she says.

And in the worst case, be leveraged by a predator.

"A predator might look at the post, maybe they are following you in a hidden or more visible way, looking at the photos, the background, the comments — and that's just one post," Dr Orlando says.

"The more you post, the more hidden details that sneak out."

Nicholas Carah is the director of the Centre for Digital Cultures and Societies at the University of Queensland.

He says images are "full of other contextual information" about your life.

"Even things about your social status that are more subtle — the kind of car you drive, the kinds of holidays you have.

While it might be "rare" for this information to be used in malicious ways, Dr Carah says people who want to stage connections with your children will produce a sense of familiarity with these details.

"That can be convincing or reassuring to your child."

There for life

Attracting predators or having your child's photos posted on paedophile websites and forums are real and valid concerns, Dr Orlando says.

But parents also need to think about the more subtle impacts of sharing their child online.

"We might be really proud parents, but we need to look long term.

"Once those details are out, they can never be removed from the internet."

Dr Orlando says AI can conduct background checks on people, and dig up content that has even been deleted from a social media platform, for example.

Children can't provide informed consent about what parents share of them online, she says, and may later feel it was an "invasion of privacy".

Dr Carah uses the example of parents innocently sharing details of a child's health condition in online communities.

"You can understand why people do it, but in those impulsive moments, we are sharing sometimes really intimate details about our kids' lives.

"Say it turns out to be a chronic health condition that affects the child in the long-term, they might later think, 'I didn't want people to know that about my life.'"

Sharing your kid's details safely

Dr Carah says it's not necessarily about no longer sharing your kid's life, but thinking about how to do it safely.

For example, rather than posting lots of photos to social media, you can share them in a family group chat.

It doesn't mitigate risk completely, but it does reduce it, he says.

"Think more about how do we manage those online circles? In much the same way we manage them in our everyday lives.

"There are things we'd say about our family to our family, but not colleagues at work, for example."

While many parents have started using emojis or blurring to protect children's faces online, Dr Orlando says it's only helpful when done before you post to a platform.

"AI can remove that emoji … unless you do it on the photo itself.

"Go to mark-up options, and choose the tools there to cover the face, then upload it."

Take the time to talk to family and friends about what's OK to share.

"A lot of parents I talk to have a lot of issues with extended family posting things about their child online," Dr Orlando.

Remind them it's not safe to post anything and everything. To ask permission first. Or make an agreement.

For example, Dr Orlando suggests asking them to "select just one pretty safe shot" to post.

It is also good practice to ask your child for permission before you post, even if they can't quite understand the implications yet, as it helps to develop their understanding of consent and respect.