Back-to-School Photo Safety Tips for Louisiana Parents

It’s that time of year again! School kicks off on Thursday, August 6th for Bossier Parish and DeSoto Parish, with neighboring parishes right behind them the following Monday.

Our social feeds are about to be flooded with adorable first-day photos of bright smiles, new backpacks, and giant milestone chalkboards. But while we love showing off our babies as they grow, law enforcement and child safety experts are issuing a major warning for parents: sharing too much detail in these photos can put your children in real danger.

Those popular "First Day of School" signs might look harmless, but they often reveal everything a predator or identity thief needs to build a profile on your child.

Listing details like your child’s full name, age, height, favorite things, teacher’s name, and specific school makes it far too easy for strangers to gain a child's trust or pinpoint their location.

How to Keep Your Back-to-School Posts Safe

Before you hit "post" next week, keep these simple safety tips in mind:

Skip the Specifics: Keep the sign generic! First name and grade level are plenty. Leave off the school name, teacher, bus route, and personal facts.

Watch Your Background: Avoid capturing identifiable landmarks, street signs, house numbers, or license plates. Take the photo indoors against a plain wall or in your backyard facing the house.

Hide Logos & Crests: School monograms and uniform crests instantly tell bad actors where your child spends their days. Use a simple digital sticker or emoji to cover up logos on shirts or backpacks before uploading.

Check Your Privacy Settings: Make sure your social media profiles are locked to private so only trusted friends and family can see your posts. We all want to celebrate our kids and capture these precious memories.

Take as many photos as your heart desires, just be mindful of what you broadcast to the internet. Let's make sure our kids stay safe both inside the classroom and online this school year!