Guide · Privacy & safety

Children's photos online: What parents should consider before posting

Which details, permissions and boundaries matter when posting children's photos? This guide sorts out the risks, age groups and practical rules for private and public posts.

21 October 2026 · 4 min read

By Redaktion familydevice

On this page

A photo can reveal more than a face
May we share the photo?
What needs checking before posting
Three levels for greater safety

Your child appears in a photo you would like to share. Which details should be visible, when should you ask your child, and how can you stop a quick snapshot from revealing more later? This guide is for families with children aged 0–9 and sorts the decision by age group.

A photo can reveal more than a face

Our advice

For children aged 0–3: You decide, but set a lasting family rule. In private family groups, use cropped or unrecognisable images wherever possible and do not include names, institution names, addresses or exact locations. For this age group, a public post with a clearly recognisable face and additional details should remain the exception.

For children aged 3–6: Explain in simple terms what happens. For example, say: “Other people can save and share this photo.” ^[1] Ask your child how they feel about it and take any signs of discomfort seriously. If you are unsure, wait before posting or choose a version without further identifying details.

For children aged 6–9: Also explain why it can be problematic to include a precise location, a school name or an event date in the photo. Let your child have a say and accept a clear no. Agree that consent given earlier does not apply to later posts.

What needs checking before posting

Our advice

Check five points before every post:

Purpose and recipients: Do you really want to share the photo publicly, or would a close family circle be enough? You cannot fully control private groups. ^[1]
Visible details: Crop out faces, name badges, houses, number plates, school or club logos and documents. Also pay attention to reflections and background details.
Caption: Do not include full names, dates of birth, school classes, addresses, clubs, travel destinations or habits. Information about when your child is at school, plays sport or spends their free time can allow others to draw conclusions. ^[2]
File: Where possible, use an edited copy instead of the original. Remove or disable location information and check whether the filename or image description could reveal clues.
Consent: Talk it through among the adults and make sure everyone agrees. Involve older children. For very young children, do not mistake likes, public reactions or group pressure for consent.

Three levels for greater safety

Sources

[1]klicksafe und Internet-ABC (2011): Internetkompetenz für Eltern: Kinder sicher im Netz begleiten
[2]Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (2016): Der Internet-Guide für Eltern
[3]Bundespsychotherapeutenkammer (2020): Elternratgeber Internet

Children's photos online: What parents should consider before posting

A photo can reveal more than a face

What needs checking before posting

Three levels for greater safety

Sources

Further reading

Safely set up your child’s first smartphone: step by step

Tablets for preschoolers: the guideline and using them together

Fake shops and phishing: How to protect your children from online fraud

A photo can reveal more than a face

May we share the photo?

What needs checking before posting

Three levels for greater safety

Sources

Further reading

Safely set up your child’s first smartphone: step by step

Tablets for preschoolers: the guideline and using them together

Fake shops and phishing: How to protect your children from online fraud