Beaufort Police Warn Parents about Online Safety for Back-to-School Photos

Beaufort Police Talk Online Safety Ahead of School Start

Alright, Beaufort folks, school’s about to start again – not exactly breaking news, but the Beaufort Police Department has something they’d like you to think about. They’re kindly reminding all the moms and dads out there to be cautious about what exactly they share online in their back-to-school snaps.

Now don’t get them wrong, they love the flood of grinning kiddos holding up sparkly “first day of school” signs just like the rest of us. But they’ve pointed out that these sweet pictures might be giving away more information than you’d like.

Why all the fuss about cute school images?

You see, while we’re busy ‘awwing’ and ‘liking’ those first-day-of-school pics, the info shared along with them could end up in the wrong hands. We all know the internet can be both fabulous and frightening, right? The Beaufort Police are just trying to ensure it stays more fabulous and less frightening for our little ones.

The not-so-fun part is that personal details about our kids or their school, especially when posted online, can be accessed by a whole bunch of people we don’t know. They might find out exactly where your child is, and when they’re there, which isn’t great. Certain details can also be used to earn a child’s trust as a stranger – again, not great.

What should we not share, then?

Well, the police suggest that it’s better not to share specifics like the school’s name, the kid’s age or grade, the teacher’s name, or any identifying features like height and weight. Basically, anything that can be used to track down or identify your child should be kept off the interwebs.

But can’t we have some fun with our back-to-school pictures?

Absolutely! The cops aren’t saying that you can’t share your kid’s first-day excitement or proud moments. They just want to make sure you’re sharing wisely in order to keep all little ones (and, let’s be real, worried parents too!) safe and sound.

To sum up, folks

So, as we all gear up for another school year in Beaufort, whether that’s with joy, trepidation, or a mix of both, let’s remember to keep our kids’ online information just as secure as we’d keep them in real life. After all, their safety and privacy deserve to be championed just as much as their new backpacks and shiny shoes – posted online or not!

Third-party Images

Beaufort Police Department has taken to social media to remind parents who are uploading back-to-school photos about measures they should take for their child’s safety. (Beaufort Police Department)