Photo & Video Sharing Risks
Understanding the risks of children sharing photos and videos online, including loss of control, misuse by others, and long-term digital footprint consequences.
What is this?
Sharing photos and videos is one of the most common activities for children and teenagers online. However, once an image is shared, the child loses control of it entirely. Photos can be screenshotted, forwarded, edited, or used in ways the child never intended. This guide helps parents understand the risks and have productive conversations with their children about responsible sharing.
How it works
Children share photos and videos through social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms — often without considering who might see or save them. Images can be shared beyond the intended audience within seconds. In some cases, photos are used for bullying, shared without consent, or collected by individuals with harmful intentions. Even innocent photos can reveal identifying information such as school uniforms, location tags, or home addresses.
Warning signs
In your child's behaviour
- • Taking and sharing an unusually high number of selfies or videos, particularly at the request of someone online
- • Becoming distressed after sharing an image, or expressing regret about something they posted
- • Receiving comments or messages about their appearance that make them uncomfortable
On their device
- • A camera roll full of selfies or images that appear to be taken for someone else
- • Use of apps that allow anonymous photo sharing or that delete content after viewing
- • Evidence of photos being sent through private or disappearing message features
Prevention steps
Teach the permanence of digital images
Explain to your child that once a photo is shared online, they can never fully take it back. Even 'disappearing' messages on platforms like Snapchat can be screenshotted. Use the rule: 'If you would not want your teacher or grandparent to see it, do not share it.'
Review privacy settings together
Ensure your child's social media accounts are set to private and that location tagging is turned off on their camera and apps. Check who can see their posts, stories, and profile picture. Revisit these settings regularly as apps update.
Discuss consent and respect
Teach your child to always ask before taking or sharing a photo of someone else, and to expect the same respect in return. Explain that sharing someone else's photo without permission is not just unkind — in some circumstances, it can be illegal.
What to do if it happens
- 1If an image has been shared without your child's consent, report it to the platform immediately and request its removal.
- 2If the image is intimate or sexual, contact the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) or CEOP for help with removal. Do not share the image further, even as evidence.
- 3Reassure your child that they are not to blame and that you are there to help. Seek support from the school or a helpline if your child is distressed.
Related topics
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last reviewed: 2026-03-01