The holidays are filled with memories. Some memories are captured in our mind, while others are captured in photographs. Memories captured are often shared online, through social media.

People love sharing their memories, but should you share your photos online? Are there risks involved?

Keep reading to find out 

Whether it’s your first Christmas together or baby’s first Christmas, taking photos of special moments is what we do. Maybe it’s to share these special moments with those unable to be there. Maybe it’s to preserve the image forever, as sometimes memories become foggy. Photos help up remember details that could fade from memory over time.

Before social media, photos were kept in photo albums or boxes. Some remained on the camera, either digitally or on a roll of film, waiting to one day be processed. Yes, I have a roll or two of unprocessed film.

If you wanted to share your images, you had to print (or process) them. Then you could show them to those around you. Otherwise, you needed duplicates to mail to friends and family.

After social media, sharing photos was a breeze. Upload your pic and post. Now your connections can see your pictures from anywhere in the world. And, depending on your privacy settings, so could everyone with internet access.

Wait, what??

While posting photos online has made it easy to share our memories, it doesn’t come without risks.

I know, I’m the party pooper – always talking about those pesky risks. Just trying to keep you safe ?

What risks am I talking about?

Standing the Test of Time

Once you post a photo online it is there forever. What might be funny or cool (do people still say cool?) in the moment could cause problems down the road. Stop and think about how the photo could impact you in the future. If you’re thinking “I can post what I want, it’s my life.” You are correct. Or “I don’t care what people think about me.” Good for you. But you are posting the photos on a public space, not in your own private diary. People do and will pass judgement – potential employers, future dates, your mother-in-law, etc. I’m not telling you to be concerned what others might think of you, I am trying to get you to stop and think before posting.

Over exposed

What about your surroundings in the pic? Don’t be the guy taking a pic at work with his passwords on a sticky note in the background. Or the student that doesn’t say where she goes to school but posts a pic of her wearing her cheerleading uniform. Or my favorite – vacation pics!! Nothing says “rob my empty house” like photos of you while you’re on vacation. Or a photo of your haul after a visit from Santa. Before posting photos online, stop and think about what a bad guy could gain from the image.

Losing control

Photos posted on social media can be downloaded and reposted by anyone with access. You are no longer in control of who has access to your photo. Hello – have you heard of someone “going viral?” Every one of them started with a pic or video posted online.

No take backs

Because you no longer have control over the posted image, it will live online FOREVER. If you change your mind and remove it, it never really disappears. Someone could have downloaded it, and reposted it. Once again, “going viral.”

Permission requested

Are you one of those people that take pics at parties and then posts them without any consideration for those in the picture? If so, STOP IT! Get yourself some manners and ask before posting pics of others online. Parents, that goes for you too!! Hell, some kids get an online profile before they are even born. You know who you are -you ultrasound pic posters. What is cute or funny to you could be embarrassing for your child.

So how do you know when and what is okay to post online?

Ask yourself one simple question….

“Would I want this on a billboard on the side of the highway?”

For you younger kids, ask yourself “Would I want Grandma (or someone you respect) to see this?”

If the answer is no – DON’T POST IT!

Don’t forget to ask your future self the same question.

For all of you pic-posting-parents, think about how you will explain to your child why you posted the photo that is the root of their bullying or source of their embarrassment.

I know, I sound like Scrooge – Bah Humbug…

I want you to have fun this holiday season and enjoy making memories, whatever that might look like for you this year. Just remember to stop and ask yourself one simple question before posting photos online. Use some common sense and mind your manners. Your friends, family, and your future self will thank you.

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