Things to consider before posting back-to-school photos

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Summer is winding down and families are preparing their kids to head back to school. With it being such an exciting time, some parents tend to document the occasion by taking a photo of their child in all their new school gear. While it may be harmless to capture the moment, parents should think twice before sharing those pictures online.

In the digital age, it's easy to get caught up in social media trends such as "back-to-school boards" (pictured above) which feature details about a child's upcoming school year. However, law enforcement agencies such as the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office warn that posts like this often showcase private information, including the child's face, name, age, grade, school name, and teacher.

As staying connected with friends and family gets easier with the progression of technology, it's also getting easier for predators and scammers to gain access to such personal information. Seemingly benign back-to-school posts can inadvertently compromise the child's privacy by making their details publicly accessible to anyone who might come across the posts.

Additionally, technology is growing increasingly integrated with education. New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley says that parents should be aware of the data privacy of kids enrolled in New York schools.

"Safety is a top priority for parents when sending their children back to school," said Mosley. "With technology being used more and more as a learning tool, New York parents and caregivers should know their rights when it comes to protecting their children’s personal information and privacy."

Watching one's kids grow up is a precious thing, and many families understandably want to share that with the world. Parents should just be mindful about posting identifying details and should even consider sending back-to-school photos to friends and family privately via text, direct message, or email.