The first day of school is often filled with lots of Back to School pictures. While some of us have already started school, many of you haven’t.  It seemed like a great time to share with you picture no-nos for bloggers and anyone else who is going to post pictures on the internet. (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc..)

 

Don’t Share These Back to School Pictures

School Sign in the Picture

If you are posting a picture that features your child standing in front of their school’s sign, you are sharing with someone where your child goes to school. If you are sharing the picture with only family members or friends that know your child goes there, you may feel comfortable with posting it. If you are sharing the picture with the world, then everyone who sees the picture will know where to find your children.

 

School Shirt Shown The shirt shares the same information the school sign does. It might be a challenge taking a Back to School Picture of your child in their uniform if they are required to wear one without sharing the school name. You may feel comfortable sharing that information. If you don’t want to share it you may want to take a picture of the first day of school featuring what they were wearing after they got home from school.

 

Picture Right Outside the Classroom Door with Teacher’s Name Displayed

 

This maybe is a little extreme, but  I did think I should mention it to you. If you feel okay about sharing your child’s teacher name, that is great. I think I mentioned my son’s teacher’s name last year in a post or two. If you would just like to keep it in private or if you plan to mention your child’s school, you may decide this picture will be left of your shot list. It may just be more than you want someone to know about your child. A Bus with Bus Number Displayed I remember reading a post by a blogger explaining how much they regretted displaying a picture of their child getting on their school bus. The bus number was right beside the child’s head as they entered the bus. The county that they lived in was also right there in the picture. My guy doesn’t ride a bus, but if he did I am not sure I would want a friend of friends or the world to know what bus it was.

 

Backpacks with Your Children’s Names on Them

This has been a concern mentioned to me by a number of readers. Names on backpacks let everyone know your children’s names or preferred nicknames. Their concern wasn’t just for pictures, but for everyday use.

Location Settings Left On When Taking Pictures

Each device you use to take pictures may give you the option to share the location where your picture was taken. If you don’t think you will ever use this setting you can go settings area of your camera, and turn it off. You may find this setting labeled location services or privacy on most devices.

Most social media sites will ask if you want to share the location or block it. I tend to click on the block when that pop-up comes up!

Home with House Number Displayed

 

I have no trouble taking pictures of the front of my house. The house number is not displayed. I am very open about the city we live in along with our state. Knowing the exact house number isn’t something I think I need to share. You may not see it as a problem. After all, you are not sharing your street address. It is just something I have decided to be careful with.

 

Before School Picture

If you don’t have a camera that takes wonderful early morning pictures, you may want to take First Day pictures right after school when you have better lighting. I tried taking before and after-school pictures of my son. The after-school pictures came out much clearer and prettier than my morning shots. Another bonus was that we weren’t rushing to get in the car and get to school when I took those pictures.

Conclusion

You may read this list of Back to School pictures no-nos and think they are just a little paranoid and over-cautious. I admit that they may be. In this day and age, we just don’t know who is looking at the pictures are posting. There are ways to share pictures with only those you want to see them and many of you may use them. If you do want to share your Back to School pictures online, I hope you will read these Back to School picture no-nos and decide which Back to School pictures will be best for you and your family to share.

 

Here are some more Back to School ideas you will love:

Back to School Crafts and Books

STEM #2 Pencil Activities

Wheels on the Bus STEM Activity

Make School Fun with Back to School Printables

Going to School and Coming Home Backpack Checklists

Before School and After School Chore Checklists

Back to School Books to Read with Your Children

The links below are affiliate links.

If I Built a School looks the changes a boy would make to fit what he thinks a school should looks like.

The Kissing Hand is a wonderful books about raccoon who has trouble wanting to leave home and go to school. It shares a heartwarming family Back to School tradition.