I'm a Child Safety Detective. Never Post Photos of Your Kids Wearing This
Seth Cockerham told Newsweek that AI has created new risks, allowing innocent photos to be altered or manipulated.
A child safety detective in Texas is warning parents against posting photos of their children in swimsuits or revealing clothing on social media. Seth Cockerham, a 33-year-old internet crimes against children investigator, advises that even if the images appear innocent, once they are uploaded, parents have no control over their distribution or potential misuse.
He points out concerns about AI manipulation and the practice of "sharenting," or sharing children's personal information online. According to a 2021 survey, over 75% of parents post about their kids on social media, but only about a quarter seek their child's permission first. Cockerham notes that even private social media accounts can have audiences of 200 to 500 people, and warns of cases where such images have been found alongside child sexual abuse material.
He recommends sharing photos directly with trusted friends and family, or posting without the child's face visible.
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