DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – We’ve all seen pictures posted online of parents holding up a “Back to School” sign with fun facts and other information. But when it comes to using such boards or posters, police say “less is more” when posting online.
Experts say the challenge with social media, especially posting signs with personal information, is the control over privacy you have (or may not have) once the images are posted.
“It’s important that people check their security settings from time to time to make sure they’re at the level they want, but you shouldn’t assume that these security measures will prevent your information from being reposted or going to places you don’t want it to go,” said Sergeant Jonathon Douglas of the Davenport Police Department.
It is a classic saying that parents tell their children: “Beware of strangers!” – stay away, and experts advise not to show anything in the pictures that strangers do not want to know.
When it comes to putting up these fun and creative chalkboard signs, experts say your child’s first name is fine; even stating the grade they’re in is OK, but stating the specific school they attend and things like the teacher’s name provide hackers with an easy way to steal information.
“Particularly in the unit that I work with and things like that, it involves a lot of children and stuff. I think children are by far the most valuable asset that we have in our community, but they are also the most vulnerable and the most easily exploited. By following some common sense guidelines and working together, I think we can at least make them a little bit safer and maybe reduce the dangers that they face on a daily basis,” Douglas said.
Davenport Police have provided additional tips:
- Avoid taking photos in front of your house
- Avoid taking photos in front of your child’s school.
- If you have children who have a social media presence, you should also check their posts.
Note that Davenport Police have not found a direct link between back-to-school social media posts and reports of fraud, theft, or 911 calls. However, as technology advances and individuals become more present online, there has been a gradual increase in online fraud or the harvesting of information from online platforms.
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