As students prepare to return to the classroom, the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is encouraging parents to take a moment to consider what information is visible before sharing first-day-of-school photos on social media.

While celebrating the milestone is something many families enjoy, officials say photos can unintentionally reveal personal information that could be misused by strangers online.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends avoiding posts that include a child’s:

Full name

Teacher’s name

Grade level

School name

Classroom information

Bus information

Other personal details that could identify or locate the child

Officials also remind parents that regardless of who they intend to share a post with, information placed on social media can ultimately be seen by a much wider audience.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, making a few simple changes before posting can help protect a child’s privacy while still allowing families to share the excitement of the first day of school with friends and loved ones.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to remember one simple message as the new school year begins:
Be proud. Be smart. Be safe.

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