Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Ahead of the start of a new school year, Henrico police are urging families to keep safety in mind when posting first-day-of-school photos on social media. Some information can be used by predators and cyber criminals.
"Right now we're seeing a lot of popularity with the back-to-school boards that the kids will hold," says Karina Bolster, Henrico Police. "But there are some things on that board that could potentially reveal too much information, such as where they go to school, the teacher's name, how old they are."
Bolster also recommends making sure the background of the photo doesn't include house numbers or other personal information that could give predators clues as to where the photo was taken.
"The best idea is to use a nondescript background, whether that be some bushes, some flowers, or even trees in the background," she says. "That way it's not identifiable to where you live or even work or play."
Police say sharing these memorable photos is completely acceptable -- but families should be mindful of what's in those photos. Refrain from posting any identifying information like your child’s full name, the school they attend, their teacher’s name, their bus number, or their classroom number.
"We certainly want [families] to be able to capture that memorable moment, but we also want to make sure they do it safely," Bolster says. "That includes making sure your child's personal information remains private."
