As schools reopen their doors, parents are eager to share their children's excitement on social media. However, before you hit that share button, it's important to consider the potential risks associated with sharing personal information in your back-to-school photos.

One popular trend is to create chalkboard signs with detailed information about your child, such as their name, age, height and even the school they attend. While these photos can be a cute way to commemorate the start of a new school year, they can also pose a security risk.

"Especially during back-to-school season, scammers know that it’s an opportunity to look at this trend and see a bunch of information [and] it can just lead to security problems for you and your family," Nicole Cordero from the Better Business Bureau said. "During back-to-school season, they know that parents are sharing a lot of information online, and they can use that to their advantage."

To protect your child’s privacy, limit the details in your photos. Avoid including their last name, teacher's name, school name, age, birth date or any personal fun facts. This type of information can be used to guess passwords or hack into accounts.

Cordero also said, "You don’t want the background of the photo to reveal their school name or too much about your home."

Before posting, consider what you'd be comfortable sharing with a stranger. Would you really want them to know your child's age or the school they attend?

"It can actually become a safety issue," Cordero said.

Check your privacy settings and know that, even if your page is private, photos can be easily saved and copied.

Remember, even if your social media profile is set to private, your photos can still be saved and shared by others. It's important to talk to your child about online safety and the importance of protecting their personal information.

"You need to make sure the information that you're giving is not giving scammers access to things like committing identity theft or even your password," Cordero said.

Back-to-School Photo Safety Tips

While those cute back-to-school photos can be tempting, it’s important to exercise caution. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Limit identifying details: Avoid including your child's full name, school name, age, grade or any personal information that could be used to track them down.
• Blur out sensitive information: If you do include a sign, make sure to blur out any details that could be used to identify your child.
• Be mindful of the background: Avoid including images of your home or your child's school in the background.
• Check your privacy settings: Ensure that only your close friends and family can see your photos.
• Talk to your kids about online safety: Teach them about the importance of protecting their personal information online.

The Dangers of Over-Sharing

Law enforcement agencies across the country are echoing these warnings. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office in New York has issued its yearly reminder to parents about the dangers of over-sharing personal information about their children online.

The sheriff's office urges parents to be cautious about sharing too much personal information about their children in photos. They recommend blurring out details such as their child's age or grade. Authorities also suggest refraining from sharing bus numbers and images displaying house numbers online.

"The information that we share online can be used by people with malicious intent," said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol. "It's important to be mindful of what we share and to take steps to protect our children's privacy."

Protecting Your Child's Privacy

In the digital age, it's more important than ever to be mindful of the information we share online. While it's natural to want to share our children's milestones with the world, it's crucial to prioritize their safety and privacy.

By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your child's back-to-school photos don't become a target for scammers or predators. Remember, a little caution can go a long way in keeping your child safe online.

A Final Thought: Think Before You Post

The best way to protect your child's privacy is to think carefully about what you share online. Before posting a photo or sharing any information about your child, ask yourself:

• Would I be comfortable with a stranger knowing this information?
• Could this information be used to identify my child or put them at risk?
• Is this information necessary to share?

If you're unsure, it's always best to err on the side of caution. By being mindful of the information we share online, we can help protect our children and ensure that they have a safe and happy school year.