It’s summer, vacation season is in full swing, and social media is flooded with sun-kissed snapshots. Parents love capturing those moments at the beach, in the park, or by the pool and sharing photos of their kids with loved ones. But behind this natural urge to showcase a smile or a sandcastle lies a far less cheerful reality.
According to figures reported by La Tribune Dimanche on August 10, nearly one in two photos of a child published online is diverted to websites that exploit children. And half of these images come directly from pictures posted by relatives on social networks.
In response to this finding, Clara Chappaz, the minister in charge of digital affairs, is calling for heightened vigilance. She urges us to rethink our posting habits and to favor safer alternatives. Because protecting our children goes beyond the physical world: their safety also hinges on their digital image.
Why Sharing Kids’ Photos Is Risky
One might think that a private account on Instagram or Facebook is enough to protect what you post. In reality, even an image shared within a small circle can be copied, saved, and redistributed elsewhere. And on the internet, once a photo starts circulating, it’s nearly impossible to take back.
This risk is especially troubling when it comes to children. Individuals can misappropriate their images, pull them out of context, and send them to pedophilic platforms. Statistics show that social networks are among the primary illegal sources used to exploit such content.
Criminals know how to spot attention-grabbing material: swimsuit photos, innocent poses that can be misread, or simple water-play snapshots. Even if the original aim is to share a lovely memory, public exposure turns these moments into opportunities for harmful use.
Best Practices for Posting Safely
The first rule is to minimize public sharing as much as possible. Favor private messages on WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, which give you control over who sees the images. And if you still post on social networks, blur the child’s face or photograph them from behind or from a distance.
Another smart practice is to avoid personal details. No name, no live location, no visual clues about the child’s school or home. These safeguards create barriers that make it harder for ill-intentioned individuals to misuse the images.
Sharing moments of life with your children is natural and precious, but on the internet, every photo can slip out of your control. The numbers speak for themselves: one in two images is misused, often coming from close family or friends. By adopting simple practices like blurring faces, shooting from a distance, or using private messaging, you can greatly reduce the danger.
Protecting your child’s image means giving them security from their earliest years. And just like sunscreen on the beach, it’s better to prevent than to cure!
