Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let my kids appear on school social media?

183 replies

TweetTwewt · 30/06/2026 07:12

Since DC started school, I've never consented to their pictures appearing on social media.

I thought a lot of parents would do the same, but the majority of parents do seem to have consented as the social feeds are full of lovely pictures of everyone else's kids.

Last week for example, there were lots of great pictures of sports day, and the week before, pictures of a school trip.

I'm now beginning to think I'm just making myself miss out on nice pictures of DC at school events, and actually there's no a real downside to letting them be in the pictures.

What does everyone else think? AIBU to not consent, or is there a real risk to having pictures of children on open public social media?

OP posts:
Passaggressfedup · 30/06/2026 07:33

I don't get the hysteria? I don't consider the world is full of weirdos, who search random school photos to jerk over pics of children on a sport or outing event. The likelihood of this happening is so significantly low that it's not something I've ever let get to me.

Last year, I moved house. It took me to sort out the attic and looking through old boxes. My DS, now in his early 20s joined me and we shared an amazing moment looking at old school newsletters and pictures. Priceless!

I definitely have no regrets to allow it. Then again, it was unheard of that parents would have an issue with it at that time.

ThePeppyOpalScroller · 30/06/2026 07:33

takingitdown · 30/06/2026 07:28

It’s not worth the risk.

We know from social media that these pictures are taken by pedophiles and used to create CSAM. Why would you ever, EVER, risk that for your child?!

Show quote history

Has it ever happened?

I can't find any reports of a pupil being identified purely from SM, and the psycho travelling to that school, targeting that kid. I can understand it from point of view of when they are adults, people not being able to see pictures of them as children, or having their images out there if they don't want to be online. But I think the whole "you're going to be kidnapped by some Internet siko" is a bit much.

Honeyhonayboo · 30/06/2026 07:29

Artesia · 30/06/2026 07:27

@takingitdown-because a basic risk analysis would suggest that the odds of someone looking at my kids' primary school website, picking my DS out of a photo, travelling to the school, gaining access to a locked site, tracking him down and doing him any harm is fairly low.

Haven’t you seen some of the things that have happened with school instagrams recently? The photos altered with AI and then used to blackmail in the school?

I can’t see a single reason why a school would need a public instagrams in the first place. What’s the benefit of it?

VIII · 30/06/2026 07:28

I'm honestly really surprised any schools still post public photos of children on their social media, given all we know these days. I definitely wouldn't be agreeing just so you get some nice photos, your child's online privacy is more important than a couple of cute pictures.

takingitdown · 30/06/2026 07:28

Artesia · 30/06/2026 07:27

@takingitdown-because a basic risk analysis would suggest that the odds of someone looking at my kids' primary school website, picking my DS out of a photo, travelling to the school, gaining access to a locked site, tracking him down and doing him any harm is fairly low.

It’s not worth the risk.

We know from social media that these pictures are taken by pedophiles and used to create CSAM. Why would you ever, EVER, risk that for your child?!

Artesia · 30/06/2026 07:27

@takingitdown-because a basic risk analysis would suggest that the odds of someone looking at my kids' primary school website, picking my DS out of a photo, travelling to the school, gaining access to a locked site, tracking him down and doing him any harm is fairly low.

WorkCleanRepeat · 30/06/2026 07:26

I'd imagine your school will change it's policy soon. Lots in our area are removing all pictures of children from websites and social media platforms.

takingitdown · 30/06/2026 07:16

Any school with public social media needs investigating and shutting down imo. Why would you consent to your children’s face being plastered all over the internet for every weirdo to see, with their exact location tagged and people being privy to their daily routine??