COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan State Police (MSP) are urging parents to exercise caution when posting back-to-school photos of their children on social media this school year.
As Branch County students head back to the classroom next week, MSP warn that the popular “first day of school” boards can inadvertently expose sensitive data to online predators and scammers. Details commonly displayed on these signs—such as a child’s full name, age, school name, teacher, and specific interests—can be exploited for identity theft or used by strangers to build false familiarity with a child.
To mitigate these risks, Michigan State Police Lt. Pat Agema recommends keeping information as generic as possible
MSP suggests turning off location tagging features and ensuring that posts are only visible to verified friends and family members rather than the general public.
Experts also note that metadata embedded in digital photos can sometimes leak the exact coordinates of where a picture was taken, making privacy settings even more critical.
By taking a few extra moments to audit their digital footprint, parents can successfully celebrate their children’s academic milestones while maintaining a strong defense against modern digital threats.
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