7 tips to keep your family's information safe online

The internet is a great place to explore the world around you, and to connect with family and friends scattered at every corner of the globe.

But as we already know, there are people who abuse the internet and use its contents for disreputable means.

Not all the dangers present online will be encountered, and the benefits far outweigh the risks – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about who you are sharing your family photos with.

So, how do we keep our families safe online? Follow these 7 steps for help:

1. Consider ownership

Firstly, you need to remember that once you post your photos online, they’re no longer just your property. Before posting, consider who might be able to see and use these images, and activate safety features accordingly.

2. Turn off location

Consider turning off your location for photos, as this could be used to trace your child’s or family’s whereabouts. This information can also be used as an indicator of where your child frequents – information you don't want to place in the wrong hands.

3. Don't overshare personal information

Photos of a child's interests or hobbies can make it easier to find them when you’re not around, so be smart about the nature of your posts and images.

4. Think about reputational damage or embarrassment

Also consider what effect sharing the image could have on your child in the future. Will it cause embarrassment? Could it damage their reputation and/ or application for a school or job?

5. Don't share official documentation

You wouldn’t give out your ATM card pin, so why share copies of other official documents online? Never share pictures of important documents. Photos of passports or other official documents give an exact location, like where a child lives and goes to school.

6. Check your privacy settings

Check your security and privacy settings. Who can see your photos? Platforms like Facebook update their settings regularly, and sometimes photos that were once private become public. Consider reviewing your privacy settings regularly.

7. Use your discretion

A photo of your child in the bath or running around half-naked on the beach might be cute to you, but to someone else it could be used inappropriately. Remember, anyone can save your photos to their own computers or screenshot them with their phones.