As a mom who both cares about my child’s safety, yet loves sharing photos of her bright and cheery face I struggle with whether to post her picture online. I know many parents who have the same fears. I’ve figured out a few simple ways to be sure I am protecting her, but allowing others to enjoy all she has to offer the world through her sweet smile. Read on for three tips on how to keep your child safe online,  when posting their photos on social media.

It took me a year to post my baby’s face online. I just couldn’t get comfortable with it. Especially after reading another blogger’s story about her baby’s photos being stolen by children pornography sites, I wanted to vomit just thinking about posting my little one. But as she grew up and started to do cute things, and wear cute outfits, and hug me during our shoots, I didn’t want to leave those things out. My website became an avenue through which I celebrate motherhood, so how could I leave her out of it? I decided it was time to figure out the best way to show her off without being too lax.

Apparently predators prefer for their victims to make eye contact with them (seriously, absolutely disgusting), so they want the person to be looking straight into the lens. I try to be vigilant when posting G’s photo and only pick ones where she is looking off, or looking down or even just the back of her head. I have tons of photos of her on my Instagram during her first year of life where it’s just her little body, haha. A mom has to do what a mom has to do!

This is something I do for every photo that Grace’s face is showing at all. It sometimes doesn’t look the prettiest, but I am to the point where that doesn’t matter. with Photoshop and all sorts of editing software it may be a bit easier to steal photos, but for the most part, a watermark across their chest or near your child’s face will help deter others from stealing your photos.

Online predators prefer photos of just children, which is absolutely disgusting. Therefore, I am very selective in choosing photos where Grace is alone. More often than not I choose ones where she is turned away from me if I am not in the picture with her. Keeping you or another adult in the photo says “this is my baby, not yours, you sick, disgusting pervert.” Okay, maybe I’m a bit over the top, but honestly – you don’t mess with a mama bear and her cubs.

My Outfit: SIMILAR SWEATER HERE & HERE | DENIM | SHOES

 *Photos by Erika Greene Photography | @erikagreenephotography

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I truly hope these tips are helpful to you. I completely understand the struggle. I have a few friends who are so amazing and have held out in posting their children. I truly envy that decision and sometimes wish I had kept my word on it, but I just couldn’t help but show her off!

What about you? What are your top tips on how to keep your child safe online? I’d love to hear!

Thank you so much for reading!

xo. L