Although sharing photos of your kids is easier than even thanks to photo-sharing websites, social networking sites, and online galleries, it also means that it’s easier for everyone to access your pictures (including some people you may not want to share them with).
Here are a few tips to think about when you’re posting pictures online:
1. Know your audience. Think about who will have access to the pictures. Check the privacy settings of your album – are you opening it up to friends and family, to a site or board of a limited number of members, or to the whole internet?
2. Protect your identity. Watermark your photos with your name, e-mail, or other ID. This can make it less tempting for a faker to try to pass them off as their own.
3. Choose carefully. Only share a limited amount of pictures and be aware of what information is on them. Even with a strategically-placed facecloth, that cute picture of your child in the bath could be used for purposes you really didn’t intend.
4. Maintain control. Try to make sure your pictures are stored in a place where you have (and will continue to have) access to them. Be aware of any rights you may be transferring over when you submit a picture to another site (e.g. baby contest).
I’ve posted some more specific tips for pics on the YM Boards as well!
Keep those pics coming, but keep them as protected as you can. 🙂
