As the new school term begins across Ireland, An Garda Síochána has issued a cautionary advisory for parents who are considering posting photos of their children in school uniforms online. The notice comes from the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau, as part of their ongoing #BeCyberSmart campaign, aimed at fostering a secure digital environment for all.
Gardaí strongly recommends taking the following safety precautions before sharing such pictures online:
- Remove Your Door Number: If your child’s photo has been taken outside your home, make sure to remove or blur out your door number to prevent location identification.
- Blur School or Team Logo: Blurring out the school or team logo on uniforms can help in making it difficult to identify the institution the child is associated with, reducing the risks of targeted cyberbullying or exploitation.
- Blur Any Other Identifiable Information: Be cautious about any other elements in the photos that might disclose your child’s location or routine.
- Turn Off Location Data: Before uploading, make sure to turn off the location data on your phone, as this information can be easily extracted from the picture metadata, revealing where the photo was taken.
Sharing photos of children in their school uniforms can make them vulnerable to various forms of cyber threats. By adhering to these guidelines, parents can substantially mitigate the risks and contribute to a safer online environment for their children.
An Garda Síochána encourages the public to share these important tips to help ensure the online safety of children nationwide. The force stresses that these simple measures can make a significant difference in securing the well-being of young people both online and offline.