An Internet security expert gives 5 reasons why we should not publish photos of children on the Internet

by Shirley Marie Bradby

February 23, 2020

An Internet security expert gives 5 reasons why we should not publish photos of children on the Internet
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We live in the age of the Internet and social media platforms, and we know that ours is a world in which for many people sharing and making public every moment of their life has become a fundamental and primary necessity.

Although it is true, that social media platforms and technology bring us closer together—are we really sure that sharing everything is always so positive?

The answer is an unequivocal - no! The risks associated with the habit of posting and always sharing everything with everyone are certainly not to be underestimated.

It is good to always keep these risks in mind, especially if we have young children and we love to put photos and videos of the best moments of their lives online.

Police officer Daniel Huerta, an expert in Internet security and cybercrime, has released a short five-point guide on how to protect minors from the dangers of too much exposure on social media platforms.

via ABC

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Facebook

According to Deputy Inspector Huerta, there is an excessive amount of content on the Internet, which greatly serves to satisfy the curiosity and bad intentions of many people who act in bad faith.
 
For this reason, it is very important to always remember not to share the photos and videos of our young children, even if the intentions are positive and linked to the pride of showing everyone how beautiful or good they are in what they do.
 
In fact, the potential widespread diffusion of the material we publish online can be enormous—and on such a large scale—that it means everything we post can be taken and reused by anyone.
 
Here is what is best to do and not to do, according to Internet Security expert Deputy Inspector Huerta:
  • 1. Try not to show or reveal the school our children attend, the sports team or the dance school where they have fun after school, and in any case - all the places they regularly or often frequent.
  • 2. Do not post photos on the Internet that make it easy to identify the neighborhood or house in which we live, or for example, the car we have (license plate, model, etc.)

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Pixabay

Pixabay

  • 3. We should always make sure that any content we publish is not shared in public mode, and is only for friends, and also that this is not done in real time, but, instead, for example, the next day.
  • 4. We must always avoid uploading on social media platforms any photos that show minors in swimsuits or in any case, in which they are scantily dressed.
  • 5. Never write or publish your daily or usual itineraries or routes, to reduce the risk of someone misusing the information about what we and our children do every day—and being facilitated in their criminal intent.

Pexels

Pexels

Furthermore, we must always remember that the images of our underage children can also be used for commercial purposes or for fraudulent requests for donations.
 
In addition, if the photos are published on social media platforms that make those photos public and reusable, they can easily be taken by anyone and reappropriated for any purpose whatsoever.
 
Moreover, please remember that these dishonest individuals are experts at doing everything they can to achieve their shady goals!
 
Knowing this should always make us reflect on how important it is to protect the safety of those we love, rather than letting ourselves go and sharing everything on social media platforms, even if it seems completely harmless and normal to us.

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