With school holidays drawing to a close, students in NSW are set to return back to school from Monday 2 February 2026 (Eastern Division) or Monday 9 February 2026 (Western Division). From attending school for the very first time, starting at a new school, or entering a new grade, it is no doubt an exciting tradition for families to take photos of their children and share this milestone on the internet.
However, Australian Federal Police Commander, Helen Schneider, has warned parents that it is important to be mindful and vigilant about what images they post or share online. Seemingly innocuous details in back-to-school photographs such as school signs, uniforms and street signs may allow individuals on the internet to easily identify what school your child may be attending. This can lead to dangerous consequences as your child’s privacy and protection may be compromised.
The Australian Federal Police has urged parents to take actions such as blurring or obscuring your child’s school logo on their uniform, or even the background, to protect them from being targeted or identified. Other actions to protect your child’s privacy online include:
- Ensuring that your social media accounts are secure and set to private or ‘friends only’
- If another person is taking photos of your child, ask them how the photos will be used and if they will be shared
- Check the backgrounds of your photos to ensure it does not give away important information such as your home address or school
- Refrain from publicly sharing your child’s full name and age
Taking these measures ensures that you limit the risk of pictures being seen by people who may misuse them or have poor intentions.