A 27-year-old graduate student was recently discovered using pictures of real children on the internet to create artificial intelligence child porn, which was intended for pedophiles. This disturbing incident has left me with a sense of unease and has led me to address a question that I am increasingly being asked:
"Kim, I don't want pictures of my kids on social media. How do I tell friends and family without coming across as preachy?"
Your Kids, Your Rules
It is completely reasonable for you to want to keep your kids' faces off the web. The fact is that creeps often scan public accounts in search of potential victims to prey on. Moreover, it has become easier than ever for pedophiles to pose as children and groom your child on platforms like Snapchat and Roblox. Additionally, when you post your kids on Facebook or Instagram, you are essentially giving Meta the green light to use those images for training their AI models. Unfortunately, the law is lagging behind in this regard. As parents, it is our responsibility to safeguard our children.Stop Facebook from Using Your Data to Train AI
To avoid an awkward situation, it is advisable to inform people before a gathering. Most people have good intentions, but they may not be aware of the risks associated with sharing kids' photos online, especially if they are not parents themselves. Remember, this is about you and your kids. Use "I" and "we" statements and avoid telling others how to parent. Share your reasoning or simply send them a link to this story. Be clear and firm, and leave no room for ambiguity when it comes to public posting. If possible, have a one-on-one conversation via email or text rather than in a group message.For example, you could write: "Hey, I wanted to let you know ahead of time that we prefer to keep photos of the kids off the internet for privacy and safety reasons. (We came across some stories that really worried us!) If you could refrain from posting pictures of them on social media, we would greatly appreciate it!"If It's Already Posted...
Don't panic if your kids' photos have already been posted. Reach out to the person as soon as possible and ask them to remove the post by providing a link to the specific post. I would recommend using text rather than leaving a comment on a public post as it may seem confrontational. You could say: "Hey, I completely forgot to mention this earlier, but we are keeping pictures of the kids offline for now. Could you please take this post down or repost it with their faces hidden? An emoji would be great! Here's what Mark Zuckerberg does."The Safest Way to Share Pics with Friends
Not sharing photos of your kids publicly does not mean that you can't share them at all. My suggestion is to create an invite-only album for close family and friends.In Google Photos:You can easily do this on your phone or computer. Open the Google Photos app or website. On a computer, click Photos and select the photo you want to share. At the top, click the + icon > Shared album > New shared album. Add a title and then hit Share. You can choose to create a link, search for contacts, or share on social media. On mobile, tap the + icon > Album. Name your album and add the photos you want to share. Select Get Link to generate a private link, add specific email addresses, or share through a messaging app or social media. Make sure the Link Sharing toggle is off for maximum privacy, so only invited users can view the album.In Apple Photos:You can create and share on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the Photos app. First, enable Shared Albums. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > (your name) > iCloud > Photos and turn on Shared Albums. On a Mac, open the Photos app. From the menu bar at the top, choose Photos > Settings. (In macOS Monterey or earlier, choose Photos > Preferences.) Select the iCloud tab, then Shared Albums. Now create and share your album. On Mac or iPhone/iPad running iOS 18, in Photos, scroll down to Shared Albums > Shared Albums > Create. Add a name, images and then choose people from your contacts, type an email address, or add an iMessage phone number. Tap Done. On iOS 17 or earlier, go to Albums > + (add button) > New Shared Album. Add a name, images and then choose people from your contacts, type an email address, or add an iMessage phone number.The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. For more information on all the latest technology, listen to the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and provides advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. Visit her website for daily tips and free newsletters.READ MORE