Parents, we need to talk about those emojis you put over your child’s face. They’ve become the go-to symbol for online safety, but are they really protecting what matters most? Before you post another photo, consider what’s being shared beyond the smiley face. There’s more to this story than meets the eye.
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It’s a common belief: post a cute photo of your child, slap an emoji over their face, and consider privacy ensured. However, experts warn that putting emoji masks on your kid’s face is nothing more than “security theatre”, offering minimal actual protection and potentially exposing your child to risks. Here’s what you need to know…
Why Emojis Aren’t Enough
False sense of security.
“Putting an emoji over a child’s face provides virtually no real privacy protection whatsoever,” says Lisa Ventura, cybersecurity specialist and founder of Cyber Security Unity.
These emojis do little to mask the identifying context, like backgrounds, uniforms, locations, or even body shape can reveal more than you think. Multiple posts over time can build a profile, making it easy for strangers or worse, attackers, to identify your child.
AI can fill in the gaps.
While AI may not literally “remove” an emoji, it can piece together other contextual information to reconstruct a child’s identity. Platforms often share metadata (like location or device info) that goes unnoticed but can be woven into a digital footprint.
The privacy myth is performative.
It is considered a gesture that’s more about the parents than the kids. Covering faces can feel protective, but without dismantling other revealing details, it’s surface-level and superficial.
What Safety Experts Recommend Instead
If you feel compelled to cover a face, then just don’t post the photo.
Former child abuse detective Kristi McVee suggests: “If you have to mask the face with an emoji, maybe just don’t post the photo.” Real safety comes from thoughtful restraint, not flimsy visual gestures.
Minimise identifiable information.
Take photos intentionally and capture moments from behind, frame shots without locations or focus on hands or feet. Avoid visual clues like school uniforms, street names or background signage.
Use privacy tools wisely.
Sharing within encrypted messaging apps or private platforms adds a layer of control. At the very least, strip metadata and clear location or timestamp data before uploading anything to public platforms.
Set boundaries with friends and family.
You may choose not to share your child’s images, but grandparents or friends might. Keep conversations open about your digital privacy preferences and remind others to respect them.
Sharing Kids’ Photos Online – Risks and Safer Options
Compare common posting methods for children’s photos, what they hide, what they still reveal, AI and metadata risks, privacy level, and practical safer alternatives.
| Posting method | What it hides | What it still reveals | AI or metadata risk | Privacy level | Safer alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emoji over face | Facial features | Uniforms, school logos, street signs, background landmarks, body shape, time patterns | Context linking across posts, EXIF location if not removed | Do not post or reframe the photo from behind, share privately in an encrypted chat after removing location data | |
| Sticker over eyes | Eye region | Most of the face, hair style, accessories, friends, location clues | Face can still be inferred, tagging connects identity | Crop out heads, focus on hands or activity, avoid names and tags | |
| Blur or pixelate face | Facial recognition | Background context, clothing, event details, schedule patterns | AI may match context across posts, metadata may leak | Remove metadata, crop tight on non-identifying details, share to a small private list only | |
| Cropped photo (from behind or above shoulders) | Most facial identity | Hair, height, unique clothing, location markers | Linkage via recurring places and people | Neutral backgrounds, generic clothing, delay posting so timing is not real time | |
| Private social post to “friends only” | Visibility to public | Friends can reshare or screenshot, platform data collection | Account takeovers, contact list leaks | Restrict audience to a custom list, turn off resharing, disable face tagging, review friend list often | |
| Shared album in encrypted app | Public and platform access | Participants can still screenshot, links can be forwarded if not access-controlled | Lower if end-to-end encrypted and invite only | Use invite only albums, revoke access after events, disable link sharing, remove location data | |
| No posting, local storage only | Everything stays private | None online | Risk limited to device security and backups | Back up to an encrypted drive, share in person or via printed photos | |
| Location services on | Nothing | Exact GPS in EXIF data, time stamps, device info | High if metadata not stripped | Turn off camera location, strip EXIF before sharing, delay posts so timing does not match your routine | |
| Captions with names or school | Nothing | Full name, school, team, regular venues, weekly schedule | High due to text search and tagging | Use generic captions, avoid names and places, skip birthdays or routine times | |
| Face tagging and auto recognition | Nothing | Links a child to your network, suggests identity across platforms | High due to cross-platform models | Disable face recognition, turn off tagging approvals, ask relatives to avoid tagging your child |
Tip: if a post needs an emoji to feel safe it is usually better not to post it. Reframe the shot or share privately after removing metadata.
The Cultural Debate: Sharenting vs. Privacy
Sharenting, publicly sharing about your kids online is common. One study found up to 90% of two-year-olds have a digital footprint before age 2. While many parents share out of joy, this practice raises ethical questions. Children deserve privacy and autonomy, but digital footprints are being built for them long before they can object. Informed parenting today means digital safety tomorrow.
What You Should Do Today
- Ask yourself if the image needs to be shared. If you need an emoji to hide the kid’s face, maybe reconsider posting it at all.
- Minimise identifying details. Clothing with school logos, room décor, or locations are all clues.
- Use private or secure sharing. Encrypted apps or family-only groups are safer than public social media.
- Educate family and friends. Tell others precisely what you’re okay with and what you’re not.
- Think before you post. Your digital decisions build your child’s online identity, whether you like it or not.
FAQs for Parents About Safer Sharing of Kids’ Photos Online
Is it safer to share photos in private WhatsApp or family groups?
While closed groups feel safer, screenshots can still be taken and shared outside the group. Always assume that once a photo is digital, it can potentially spread further than intended.
What alternatives do parents have to share updates with extended family?
Instead of public posts, consider secure cloud folders (like Google Drive or iCloud) with password protection, or private family photo apps such as Tinybeans or FamilyAlbum.
Are there risks in using funny filters instead of emojis?
Yes. Filters can distort faces, but they often still leave identifiable features like eyes, voice (if video), or background details. Predators may still gather information from these.
How long do photos stay online after deletion?
Even if you delete a post, copies may already exist through screenshots, backups or data scraping. Deletion reduces visibility but does not guarantee full removal.
What should parents do if a child’s photo is misused?
Immediately report the content to the platform, keep evidence (screenshots, URLs), and contact child protection hotlines or local authorities. In South Africa, parents can also reach out to the Film and Publication Board (FPB) to report online exploitation.
Are “disappearing stories” on apps like Instagram or Snapchat safer?
Not entirely. Though they vanish after 24 hours, anyone can screenshot or record the content while it’s live.
How can parents talk to children about their digital image safety?
Keep it age-appropriate: explain that photos are powerful and last a long time online. Involve children in deciding which images are safe to share to build awareness and respect their privacy.
References
- Movieguide: “Parents, This Social Media Trick Isn’t Actually Protecting Your Child”
https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/parents-this-social-media-trick-isnt-actually-protecting-your-child.html - The Independent: “Will covering your child’s face with an emoji actually protect…?”
https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/instagram-child-face-emoji-is-it-worth-it-b2777571.html - The Week UK: “Sharenting: covering children’s faces on social media…”
https://theweek.com/culture-life/personal-technology/sharenting-covering-childrens-faces-on-social-media-emojis - Tyla: “Why posting photos of kids’ faces hidden with emojis is no…”
https://www.tyla.com/news/celebs-covering-kids-faces-with-emojis-privacy-warning-016993-20250812 - Kidspot via Telegraph: Interview with former child abuse detective Kristi McVee
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/if-you-have-to-put-an-emoji-over-your-child-just-dont-post-the-photo/news-story/f5782a4c303e7ffad6c235957e83a775 - Le Monde (via The Guardian summary): “Babymojis: the trend of masking children’s faces”
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2024/04/01/instagram-and-the-syndrome-of-children-with-emoji-heads_6666989_13.html - ABC News Australia: Dr Joanne Orlando on limits of emoji privacy
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-01/does-hiding-childrens-faces-online-social-media-protect-them/104241988
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not offer legal or medical advice. Always judge your personal situation, and consult professionals if you need help protecting your child’s privacy online.
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