Tips on Back to School Photos

The Branson Police Department is among several law enforcement agencies that are cautioning parents about posting Back-to-School photos.

The Department recently passed along information provided by another law enforcement agency about keeping kids safe and not letting the excitement of the first day of school accidently lead to revealing personal information. 

According to the post, it is advisable to keep specific information off of the pictures and the post. Specific information about the school and teacher as well as the students themselves can be used by other people to endanger your family both personally or financially and other people as well. 

The complete post from the Branson Police Department is below:

Everyone is excited for the first day of school, especially sending your little one off to kindergarten or a new school for the first time! We want to help you keep your kids safe online! The social media Back-to-School photos are classic and adorable, but can also be dangerous! The revealing personal information about your child (school name, teacher, grade, age, etc.) can be used by predators, scammers, and other people looking to endanger your child, family or finances. Your privacy settings will not always protect you from the dangers of the internet and personal information; it is best to keep personal information off of online.
Don't share:
❌ School name
❌ Age
❌ Teacher's name and grade
❌ Identifying features (height, weight, etc.)
❌ Overly personal information (think items related to passwords or security question answers, etc.)
If you have this information in the photo, just blur/cross out the sensitive answers before putting online!