Sharenting: what to know before posting your kids' photos
"Sharenting", parents sharing photos and stories of their children online, is so normal that many kids have an online presence long before they can read. Most of it is harmless and full of love. But a public post can reveal more than you intend, and it stays online long after the moment has passed. Here's what to weigh before you post, and how to share with family more safely.
The risks, without the panic
Identity fraud, years later
A child's full name, date of birth, hometown and school are exactly the details used to answer security questions and open accounts. Research by Barclays in 2018 estimated that, by 2030, oversharing by parents could lead to 7.4 million incidents of online identity fraud a year in the UK, costing £676 million a year. Fraud against children can go unnoticed for years, until they start earning or apply for credit.
Showing where they are
A school uniform, a street sign, the front of your house or a photo's location data can reveal where your child lives, goes to school or spends their Saturdays. Check whether your photos carry location data, and look at the background before you post.
Photos can be copied and misused
Anything posted publicly can be saved, edited and reposted without your knowledge. In July 2026, the UK's National Crime Agency and the Internet Watch Foundation issued guidance for parents because of growing concern about AI being used to manipulate images of children. They suggest limiting who can see your posts, for example with a "close friends" group, reviewing your privacy settings, and talking with family, schools and clubs about image sharing and consent.
Your child's say
Today's baby photo is part of tomorrow's teenager's digital footprint. Some countries now put this into law: France's 2024 law on children's image rights says parents protect their child's image together, must involve the child according to their age and maturity, and allows a family judge to stop one parent posting without the other's agreement.
Before you post: a quick checklist
- Who will see it? Check the audience setting every time, not just once.
- Does it show a full name, birthday, school or address? Leave those out.
- Is there location data, or a giveaway in the background?
- Would your child be happy to see it at 15? If you're not sure, keep it for family.
- Bath, diaper or swimsuit photos? Keep them off public profiles entirely.
- Other people's children in the picture? Ask their parents first.
Safer ways to share with family
- Make your social media accounts private, or share with a small "close friends" list.
- Use a private family album instead of a public feed, with invited members only and no public link.
- Turn off link sharing and location sharing on shared albums.
- Ask relatives not to repost photos of your children publicly. As the National Crime Agency puts it, it's OK to ask.
- Review old posts once a year, and archive what you'd no longer share.
- Ask schools and clubs how they use photos of your child, and update your consent if your views have changed.
For step-by-step options, see how to share baby photos privately.
Sources
- National Crime Agency: New guidance for parents and carers as AI-manipulated images of children become a growing concern (July 2026)
- Yorkshire Evening Post: Sharenting, how you could be putting your child's identity at risk (Barclays research)
- Le Club des Juristes (in French): What France's law on children's image rights contains