Digital Safety: 10 Pictures Of Your Child You Should Never Post On Social Media And Why

Recently, a friend of mine welcomed her bundle of joy into the world. The joyful news reached me when I saw her WhatsApp profile picture of the newborn cuddled in the mother's arm, with the proud father trying his level best to take an expert selfie of all three of them. Almost every second day, the profile pictures gave updates about the baby's development.

New-age parents love to show off their children's cute and cuddly pictures on their own social media profiles. Parents share these pictures as attachments to their texts, using digital messaging apps. Parents may even send such pictures for online 'Best Baby Picture' competitions. Admittedly, we all enjoy viewing such pictures of private cuddling moments.

Why posting children’s photos online can put their safety and privacy at risk

But, there is a dark side to the Internet that may endanger the privacy of both the child and the parents, and land them in deep trouble because cybercriminals use specific types of pictures of children for unethical gain. Some of these photographs may be consumed as sexually gratifying content for perverts and may also be used to blackmail parents.

Pictures of your child you should never post on social media

Let us consider the types of pictures that may invite unwanted trouble for the child as well as the parents:

1. Breastfeeding photos of babies

Although breastfeeding is encouraged for building immunity and better health for the baby, one should never consider posting such photographs in personal albums on social media, where everyone can see them. This may trigger unwanted comments about the mother and the baby. Not to forget, such pictures may also be used as mashed-up video materials for the porn industry.

2. Nude or partially nude baby pictures

Babies look adorable in their chubby little selves. Many parents love to post their baby photos taken during a bath, lying naked, or in a crawling pose. Not to forget, perverts may consume such photographs as child pornography. This is a hard reality we need to consider, especially when we get to hear so many cases of infants as young as three to four months being sexually assaulted.

3. Up-skirt and revealing playtime photos

When children play outdoors, they love to ride high beams, play on swings, slides, and, of course, the jungle gym or monkey bars. This gives them enough opportunity to expose their innerwear and their thighs. Parents must be careful. Do not post pictures that expose your child's body. Photos of babies with their innerwear covering the private parts, thighs, and hips may be used as child porn material. Not to forget, such pictures can be doctored to present obscene and ugly online content.

4. Puberty function and ceremonial photos of adolescent girls 

In several parts of India, especially in the South, puberty functions are celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Often, the young girl is photographed from several awkward angles. Odd pictures are taken, often by a young cousin or sibling who does not know how to handle a camera properly. In such situations, it is the duty of parents to protect the girl from unwanted exposure to cameras. Such pictures may instantly be circulated to unwanted people and may also be consumed as sexually gratifying content.

5. Bathing or wet-clothes pictures of children

Whether a young child or a mature teen, one should never post pictures of children in wet clothes or bathing situations. I have a friend who is the mother of a little star swimmer. Learn from her: if at all you need to post pictures of your child, wrap them in a towel or put their jacket on before clicking pics of the little champ with their medals.

6. Trial room and changing-room pictures

A parent accompanies a young teen or tween to the changing room to help try on their chosen attire. Do not click while they are changing or in their innerwear. Posting such pictures may actually put the child in danger.

7. Sleeping pictures of babies and children

Young children look heavenly when they are asleep. But they definitely would not look heavenly if their sleeping pictures are doctored and changed into compromising positions. Parents, therefore, must not post pictures of their child in sleeping positions.

8. Potty-training and toilet-related photos 

New parents love to capture every moment of their babies. But hold on: posting pictures of babies in the potty chair, passing stool, or getting dirty should always be avoided. Remember, your child will also grow up and will become a netizen in some time. They will be subjected to humiliation and bullying if their friends get to see such pictures.

9. Nude pictures of boys

Remember the famous pose of Ranbir Kapoor in the movie Saawariya, where his towel dropped off from his waist? While many of us may have enjoyed the film, this particular scene was criticized by some as being obscene. Young boys, just like their female counterparts, are equally vulnerable to sexual offenses if their pictures in the nude surface on the Internet.

10. Photos of self-conscious and reluctant teenagers

Never force your awkward and self-conscious teen to be the subject of your album. Teenagers are well aware of the dangers of the Internet and are reluctant to be photographed and shown off in their parents' albums. Respect your child's privacy.

Parent checklist: Posting your child’s photos safely on social media

• I ask myself if this photo respects my child’s dignity and privacy.

• I avoid posting pictures that show my child in vulnerable, private, or intimate situations.

• I never share images taken in bathrooms, changing rooms, or bedrooms.

• I avoid posting photos that reveal my child’s body, innerwear, or private areas.

• I think about how this photo might make my child feel five or ten years later.

• I take my child’s consent seriously, especially for tweens and teenagers.

• I update my social media privacy settings and restrictions

• I avoid sharing my child’s pictures in public groups, contests, or unknown platforms.

• I remind myself that digital safety is part of everyday parenting today.

Debarati Halder is an advocate, Honorary Managing Director of Centre for Cyber Victim Counselling, and Founder Secretary of the South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimology.

Last updated on: February 03, 2026