As school students return to school, Australian parents are being warned against posting photos of their children in their uniforms on social media because it could help online predators better identify potential victims.
While posting images of a child’s first day at school or stxjmtzywart of another year seems innocent, the Australian Federal Police has warned parents it could have potentially dangerous consequences.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep their privacy settings on all social media accounts tight and secure and asked to avoid posting the full name of their children, their address or images in their school uniforms because it could identify what school they attend.
They are also advised against posting images of students at the front of homes that can identify a street or street number.
AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) commander Hilda Sirec said child protection investigators regularly seized images of children from online child sex offenders.
She said some offenders went to great lengths to gain access to children and in some cases online grooming began with information shared by parents and carers.
“The more information available about a child online, the easier it can be for offenders to build a profile to groom them or even to groom parents in a bid to access information about their children,” Ms Sirec said.
“You wouldn't walk up to a stranger and give them a photo album of your children and tell them their names or location.
“The first day of school is a treasured milestone for parents and carers and a happy memory for many families.
“Parents and carers can continue to take those wonderful happy snaps and post them online.
“However, we do urge people who are sharing those images to make sure they're using secure privacy settings on social media and only sharing them with people they know and trust.”
If you believe a child is experiencing issues online, collect evidence by taking screenshots or photos of the content and then block and report on the app, site or platform.
Online child sexual exploitation can be reported to the ACCCE or call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
