In a recent news alert, the FBI cautions parents about posting photos of their children to share on social media sites that can compromise the security of their family. The meta data (tags) offering information about the location of the photo (where it was taken or where it was posted) can wind up in the hands of bad actors who exploit children.
Folks at the Sacramento FBI office want parents to know it is incumbent upon the parent to have access to their child’s mobile phone and social media accounts and monitor them.
Simply put, your minor child’s privacy is your business.
Special Agent Steven Dupre is the spokesperson for the Sacramento FBI office.
“It is not just in the camera devices,” Dupre said, “when photos are uploaded into social media applications such as Twitter and Flickr, geotagging takes place giving viewers access to the places you live and have been.”
Internet security tips for parents:
- Use the security and privacy protocols of the websites where you upload photos. Look for the keyword: “location services”.
- Check the website icanstalku for instructions on how to disable the cameras and phones that geo-tag photos.
- Make sure that your child is only “friending” people on-line who they know in person.
Parent Resources
- Parenting with confidence in the Network Culture
- A Parent’s Voice in the Cyber Wilderness: The Authority In Me
- Sacramento FBI Office
- IcanStalkU (tips for disabling location services)
(Ref: 549-e)
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