Families are being encouraged to put child safety first and hit ‘stop’ on oversharing as back-to-school time approaches.
Leading child protection organisation Act for Kids warns that the excitement of a new school year often prompts family members to post photos of children on social media - sometimes revealing far more information than they realise.
Images that include small details such as a child’s school uniform logo, age or first name can be used by online child sex offenders to build profiles and groom both children and their families.
Act for Kids Executive Director Tom McIntyre said the risks have intensified with the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence, which can be used to manipulate innocent images into illegal child abuse material.
“The moment an image is shared publicly online, it is no longer within your control and you may never know where it ends up or who has access to it,” Mr McIntyre said.
The warning follows new legislation restricting children under the age of 16 from going on social media in a bid to avoid online harm.
“That’s why Act for Kids is encouraging families to snap the photo, save the memory and skip the overshare this back-to-school season. Children under 16 aren’t allowed on social media due to the new restrictions, so we need to be even more mindful of what we share of our children,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Children’s safety should always come first, and parents and carers can play a positive role by modelling safe online habits at home.”
The scale of the issue is significant. According to UNICEF Australia, the average child has more than 1500 images shared online before they turn five.
In 2024, the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children reported a staggering 1,325 per cent increase in incidents involving AI-generated child sexual abuse and exploitation material, as detailed in its CyberTipline Report.
Closer to home, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner recorded a 218 per cent rise in reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse and exploitation material between 2023 and 2024.
Top tips for parents and carers:
- Share images privately where possible, such as in a group chat with close family and friends, rather than posting publicly.
- Check photo backgrounds carefully for identifying details such as street signs, public locations or house numbers.
- If your child is wearing a school uniform, consider blurring the logo or covering it with an emoji before sharing.
- Regularly review your friends and followers and limit sharing to people you genuinely know and trust.
- Be cautious of unfamiliar friend requests or new followers and don’t feel pressured to accept them.
- Question and report any suspicious comments or contact, especially if they relate to your child.
To report online child sexual exploitation, visit here.
If a child is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Internet users should report any online abuse and harmful content to the platform they are using and the eSafety Commissioner.
Contact details:
For interview opportunities or media inquiries please contact Melanie Whiting:
0427 794 666
Melanie.whiting@actforkids.com.au
