Before you post that cute back-to-school photo, here’s what safety experts want parents to know

It wouldn’t be back-to-school season without a flurry of back-to-school photos with smiling children holding chalkboard signs. But before you post those adorable photos of your kids to social media, there are a few things to keep in mind. A viral TikTok is reminding parents to be careful about what they include in those cute chalkboard signs.

Why experts warn about sharing identifiable details in back to school photos

In a viral video, cybersecurity professional Cathy Pedrayes cautions parents that including personal details—like school name, teacher’s name, locker number, or street address, can unintentionally reveal sensitive personal information.

“People in general don’t realize how much they overshare on social media,” Pedrayes told TODAY Parents.

Pedrayes’ warning is echoed by law enforcement officers and cybersecurity experts as well. According to The Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, there are an estimated 500,000 online child predators active each day. Predators can use this information as a way to launch an online relationship with children. And personal information can pose a cybersecurity risk for data mining by potential hackers.

“[I]t is not your child’s precious face that’s the problem, it’s what is behind them,” Joe Miller, Chief of Police at the Palos Park Police Department, told NBC Chicago. “Things like your house number, what your house looks like, your street name, your car, license plate number or even where your child catches the school bus could be clues those unsavory characters use against you.”

What to keep private in back to school photos

Here are a few things experts recommend leaving out of your social media posts:

• School name or logo: all too easy to look up via Google search.
• Teacher’s name or grade level: staff profiles are often publicly accessible.
• Home address, house number, visible street signs or license plates: these reveal location data.
• Names on backpacks or clothing: can make it easier for strangers to approach children using their name.
• Favorite hobbies, interests, or personal details: could be used to build false familiarity online.

What authorities want families to know

The Australian Federal Police and other agencies abroad have also weighed in, warning that back-to-school pictures can unintentionally aid grooming efforts. Their advice includes blurring school logos, inspecting backgrounds, and tightening privacy settings so only trusted contacts can view your posts.

Expert tips on safe sharing

Pedrayes explains that data from photos shared online can persist indefinitely, even after deletion. She urges parents to limit identifying details, such as school names, street signs, or backpacks with names, to reduce risks, because small pieces of information can be combined to reveal more than intended.

“We all know parents only do things that are best for their kids. They don’t post something to harm the child, it’s the other people that grab that data. The other part of the data mining that goes on and a lot of people like to take that information and sell it,” cybersecurity contractor Stanton Greenawalt told WPDE, an ABC affiliate. 

The Wren Eleanor controversy and what it taught parents

These warnings echo concerns that surfaced during the 2022 Wren Eleanor controversy, which shined a light on the risks of sharing photos of our kids on social media.

Wren Eleanor is a toddler with her own TikTok account containing videos of the toddler doing toddler things, like wearing cute clothes and eating snacks. Boasting a whopping 17 million followers, Wren Eleanor is also an “influencer” account, with the tiny tot and her mom showing off clothing gifted to them by fashion retailers. 

Parents began sharing concerns over the account when they noticed certain videos and photos of Wren Eleanor had been saved tens of thousands of times by complete strangers and that comments by grown men were often sexual and predatory in nature. Concerns prompted parents to launch a #SaveWren movement and motivated many parents to take their children’s photos off social media or make their accounts private. 

Related: Social media is redefining the new motherhood—but is that a good thing? 

Building digital awareness at home

It’s also important to respect your child’s wishes if they don’t want photos shared on social media, even if your account is private and there isn’t any risky information included in the photo.  And if your child is old enough to be on social media, talk to them about the risks as well.

A mindful approach to sharing

Celebrating milestones is important, and so is protecting your child’s sense of safety. With a little extra awareness, you can share those proud back-to-school photos while keeping personal information private.

“If it just says first day, that’s not terrible,” Pedrayes told TODAY, “But photos that include the child’s favorite activities, teacher’s name, names on backpacks, house numbers, license plates, and school name can create safety risks.”

Related: What’s the harm in posting about our kids on social media?

The bottom line

Celebrate going back to school with cute photos, but pause for a minute before sharing, and consider whether to share the photo on social media at all. If you do, make sure it doesn’t include personal information about your child or your family. 

A version of this article was published August 19, 2022. It has been updated on August 7, 2025.