Sharing photos and videos of your family online can be a great way to keep loved ones updated and feel connected. However, there are some important dos and don’ts to keep in mind when posting personal images and videos online.
Get Consent from Everyone Involved
One of the most important rules is to get consent from everyone appearing in photos and videos before sharing them online. This includes children who may be too young to give consent themselves. Speak to your spouse, children, relatives and friends before posting their images publicly. Make sure they are fully aware and comfortable with the photos or videos being shared.
Consider Privacy Settings
When sharing family photos online, be sure to check your privacy settings and consider who you want to be able to view the images or videos. Platforms like Facebook allow you to customise your privacy settings and choose specific people or friend lists to share content with rather than making it public. Think carefully about who you feel comfortable having access to your family’s personal photos and videos.
If you upload photos and videos to a site like Kapshoo, you don’t need to worry about privacy settings, as your data is protected.
Avoid Embarrassing or Inappropriate Images
It can be tempting to share funny or cute moments of family on social media. However, avoid posting potentially embarrassing photos or videos, even if you think it’s harmless. Remember that images online can circulate or be screenshotted, so something innocuous to you could end up causing embarrassment or distress. Err on the side of caution when it comes to questionable images.
Be Careful About Location Tagging
It’s best to avoid including location tags on your family photos and videos when sharing online. Tagging your location provides information to strangers about where you live or spend time and can make you more vulnerable to stalkers or criminals. Turn off location tagging features when posting family images online.
Do Not Post Sensitive Personal Information
Avoid posting sensitive personal details about your family online, even if the details seem harmless to you. This includes full names, dates of birth, school names, phone numbers, home addresses and email addresses. Remember that information online can easily fall into the wrong hands. Follow best practices around protecting your family’s privacy.
Consider Long-Term Impact
Before widely sharing family photos or videos online, consider the long-term impact. Will your child be comfortable in 15 years having an embarrassing bathtub photo public on your social media? Think about how they will feel about the images down the road. Avoid posting anything that could negatively impact their reputation or digital footprint in the future.
Follow Recommended Age Guidelines
Most social media platforms have age limitations or guidelines for creating accounts and posting photos or videos. Follow the recommended minimum age requirements for protecting children’s privacy online. Do not create social media accounts for young children or post their photos against platform guidelines.
Weigh the Risks and Rewards
The benefits of sharing family photos and videos online need to be weighed against potential risks. Make sure you are making informed decisions about what types of images and videos are appropriate or safe for public posting.
When in doubt, keep the images private to family and friends only. Prioritise your family’s privacy and well-being over public sharing.