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AIBU?

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How to navigate family members positing pictures of your child on social media without your permission? AIBU?

42 replies

TheAmber · 14/10/2025 08:05

Hi,

I am not sure how to navigate the situation I’m currently experiencing. My daughter is 11 months old and I’ve never once posted a picture of her face publicly. If I have ever post a picture of her on socials, I usually cover her face or use one of the back of her head. I have shared pictures of her in my family group chats (which are private) and also privately to close friends (either as a one time image or on close friends only on Instagram).

My SIL has posted a picture (which I do love as it’s of her and my daughter) on her cover photo on Facebook. But she has not asked me / my other half if this is okay.
obviously I don’t know who she’s friends with, or what her privacy settings are like and I do feel uncomfortable with this. Especially as I do not post pictures of her myself in this way. I spoke with my other half this morning but he doesn’t see the issue with her being posted as he understands his sister wants to share a picture of her and her niece.

I did explain about how people can deep fake images and the dangers etc but he said he doesn’t believe the world is so cynical. I’ve also said about how children cannot consent to their face being used. So I’m a bit worried about sounding unreasonable and now I don’t know how to word it. Finding it difficult because me and my other half have different opinions and it’s his family.

Does anyone have any advice or how to word this nicely to her?

Please tell me it’s not just me who feels this way!

Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
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FluffyBenji23 · 15/10/2025 09:24

Your sister in law is bang out of order. My daughter has a complete ban on posting any images of her young son and made it clear from day one. None of us would dream of disregarding her wishes! Just make it clear you do not give permission. I have an acquaintance who worked in Safeguarding for social services and her advice is to NEVER share any images of children online.

NorthernLass2025 · 15/10/2025 03:42

It's one thing me and hubby agreed on no kids pics online and made it very clear in a nice way to family and friends we did not want them online in any pictures or videos . Only one small hiccup in 6 years a cousin accidentally forgot but I immediately messaged her and she took it straight down with a quick apology and no dramas

coxesorangepippin · 15/10/2025 01:22

Say what jumping through hoops said

coxesorangepippin · 15/10/2025 01:22

Don't mess around with the privacy etc sentence, as they are irrelevant and basically don't work. Just tell her not to post pictures of your child

Jumpingthruhoops · 15/10/2025 00:24

I would simply text: 'Hiya! I've noticed you've used a pic of you and DD for your FB profile. It is a lovely photo but we're not sharing pics of DD online (outside of family WhatsApp groups), so please can you delete this image (and any others?) from your page. Thanks'

Jumpingthruhoops · 15/10/2025 00:14

I’m a bit worried about sounding unreasonable and now I don’t know how to word it.

Personally, I'd be more 'worried' about a picture of my child on the internet, so would be asking her to swiftly delete it.

If she gets offended, that's for her to deal with 🤷‍♀️

hjhjhjhjhj · 14/10/2025 23:47

MidnightPatrol · 14/10/2025 08:08

Just tell her - ‘we are choosing not to share photos of X online. Please delete Y photo’.

It’s fine to do so IMO.

That's a bit blunt.

Bunniemalone · 14/10/2025 23:46

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask, but as most have said at that age not easy to really differentiate/identify between babies. It's when she gets older it's an issue. So does need to be addressed with family now. I wouldn't dream of posting anyone's picture on SM without their express permission.There are no pictures of me online, as I have a job where it could be problematic for me or my home location to be identified. When I attend a family gatherings where pics are taken & I am always told Im been difficult as I wont join in, I'm always happy to take the pics. I had to point out that I couldn't trust that a pic wouldn't end up online.. labelled Malone family gathering Bunnie 3rd from the left.

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 14/10/2025 23:38

Op is trying to make sure her dc is safe from online twats.
Surely her sil can see /support that even though he can't?

Maddy70 · 14/10/2025 23:34

"we are being super cautious about images of our child online so please do not post any a d we would be greatful if you removed any you already have from the internet. Thank you so much for your understanding

MonkeyPeanuts4 · 14/10/2025 21:58

KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying · 14/10/2025 21:41

Why should you get to overrule what her dad thinks, though? He’s ok with it.

Because any normal partner in this situation would support his wife and side with her if it makes her feel uncomfortable surely?

Because there is literally no counter argument. I mean, being able to post a picture of OP's child on social media is hardly critical to someone's life. If it is that important and a big deal to them, then they have bigger issues!

I'd bet that it simply didn't occur to the person who posted them that it could be an issue but they would be absolutely fine to take it down once it is pointed out. It should really be a non-issue.

MonkeyPeanuts4 · 14/10/2025 21:43

I had this with a really good friend. I was also really stressed as I didn't want to upset her but i also didn't want pictures of my children online.

I sent a message being very apologetic ("it's not you, it's me", " sorry I know it's a real pain" etc).

She took it down immediately and was really apologetic that it hadn't occurred to her to ask, and everything was totally fine. I think if you have a good relationship it should be no big deal at all.

It's a minefield as now DS is at school he sometimes asks why he "doesn't have photo permission". He knew what it was called so I guess it does get brought up at times.

They also do star of the week in the newsletter and he's not the only one who doesn't have a picture up, i'd say maybe 5-10% don't have photo permission (and increasingly so), so I don't feel like I'm too weird for chosing that.

KimTheresPeopleThatAreDying · 14/10/2025 21:41

Why should you get to overrule what her dad thinks, though? He’s ok with it.

ACatNamedRobin · 14/10/2025 21:30

TeddySchnauzer · 14/10/2025 08:10

You could just report the photo to Facebook as being a photo of your child. It’s one thing which they actually do act upon. I had to do it a few times.

This OP - just do that.
Then it's more matter of fact with the post-er.

livelovelough24 · 14/10/2025 21:29

Hello OP, this is really frustrating, I understand. I have grown kids and I try really hard not to post their photos on FB, if I do, I will ask their permission first. On the other hand, my sister will just post anything without asking. I never said anything and my kids did not necessarily complain, but I think at this day and age, people should know not to do this. The posters are right though, you have to talk to your partner first and then either you or he talk to the MIL and ask her not to post photos. Good luck!

Shotokan101 · 14/10/2025 21:28

TheAmber · 14/10/2025 08:05

Hi,

I am not sure how to navigate the situation I’m currently experiencing. My daughter is 11 months old and I’ve never once posted a picture of her face publicly. If I have ever post a picture of her on socials, I usually cover her face or use one of the back of her head. I have shared pictures of her in my family group chats (which are private) and also privately to close friends (either as a one time image or on close friends only on Instagram).

My SIL has posted a picture (which I do love as it’s of her and my daughter) on her cover photo on Facebook. But she has not asked me / my other half if this is okay.
obviously I don’t know who she’s friends with, or what her privacy settings are like and I do feel uncomfortable with this. Especially as I do not post pictures of her myself in this way. I spoke with my other half this morning but he doesn’t see the issue with her being posted as he understands his sister wants to share a picture of her and her niece.

I did explain about how people can deep fake images and the dangers etc but he said he doesn’t believe the world is so cynical. I’ve also said about how children cannot consent to their face being used. So I’m a bit worried about sounding unreasonable and now I don’t know how to word it. Finding it difficult because me and my other half have different opinions and it’s his family.

Does anyone have any advice or how to word this nicely to her?

Please tell me it’s not just me who feels this way!

Thanks in advance x

Tell them not to unless you approve the use.....

Dawnb19 · 14/10/2025 20:47

It is difficult. I tried to do the same with my daughter but it's hard and I've ended up being more relaxed. It's nice to see photo of her out with her auntie and at school. Her school has seesaw and Facebook and she loves looking at the photos of her week every Friday. She's 4 and will tell me what her and this or that friend was doing in the photos. They also post 'star of the week' and other photos of them doing a sponsored walk or playing outside. There isn't any children in her class with their face covered so I'm happy I allowed them to post her.

Twitch1994 · 14/10/2025 20:33

Just send her a message and say that it’s a lovely photo but due to the horrible nature of the world you have decided not to post photos of your child on the internet so please could she take it down.

I’ve just had to do this with my MIL, who a couple of days after we said we are not posting photos of our daughter on any social media, posted a photo for FILs birthday. We just sent a message to remind her.

I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request and it’s up to you as it’s your child.

disturbia · 14/10/2025 20:11

OP don't say "I was wondering if you would like to remove etc" be direct and say "I am asking you to remove her photo etc"

Hallywally · 14/10/2025 19:46

My DS is 19 and was probably one of the first babies on SM- I shared his pic on MySpace in 2006 when he was born 😂 People used to post pics of other people’s kids back in the day willy nilly (including me) but I wouldn’t dream of it now. She should’ve asked first.

independentfriend · 14/10/2025 18:50

At 10 months there aren't any particular risks to your daughter of people seeing her face / knowing who one of her aunts is. There's also unlikely to be anything embarrassing for your daughter as an adult in that picture.

So given you and your partner are in different places on this, I'd let it go for now and have more conversations over the years - risk comes especially from pictures of her in school uniform and maybe other pictures when she'll look more like herself rather than a baby/toddler.

Nanof8 · 14/10/2025 18:37

Just ask her to either remove the photo or put a smiley face over your daughter. I know a lot of people who don't want their childrens photos online.

Swiftie1878 · 14/10/2025 09:08

TheAmber · 14/10/2025 09:04

It’s difficult because he doesn’t agree with what I think. So feeling a bit lost with what do to.
yes, I hope to be able to protect her too even when she’s older

You won’t agree on everything as parents, but you need to be able to discuss your thinking and your feelings, and reach a decision you’re both OK with. He needs to understand your anxieties; you need to understand his wishes to share his daughter with family you don’t see much of.

TheAmber · 14/10/2025 09:04

It’s difficult because he doesn’t agree with what I think. So feeling a bit lost with what do to.
yes, I hope to be able to protect her too even when she’s older

OP posts:
ButSheSaid · 14/10/2025 08:56

It's on your boyfriend to put rules in place with his relatives.
He needs to educate himself about all aspects of child safety and how the internet works.

If you and him have opposing rules for anything it's going to be difficult.