FORT MCMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP are reminding parents and caregivers to protect children’s privacy when posting back-to-school photos online.
Police say first-day photos can unintentionally reveal personal information, particularly when children hold signs displaying their names, grades or schools.
Details visible in the background can also identify where a child lives, attends school or regularly spends time. Those details may include house numbers, street signs, school logos, uniforms, vehicle licence plates and recognizable landmarks.
RCMP are encouraging families to consider sharing back-to-school photos privately with relatives and friends instead of posting them publicly.
Parents who post photos online are advised to review their social-media privacy settings and remove identifying details from images.
Police say parents should consider what information a photo reveals, who can view it and whether everyone with access needs the information.
“Back-to-school photos are a tradition for many families and a great way to celebrate an important milestone,” said Staff Sgt. Sabrina Clayton, acting operations support officer with Wood Buffalo RCMP.
Clayton said taking a few moments to check images and privacy settings can help protect a child’s safety and privacy online.
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