WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Officer Claire Ostrowski of the Wausau Police Department and Andy Grimm, coordinator of pupil services and school safety for the Wausau School District, discussed back-to-school safety measures, including risks associated with posting children’s photos on social media and traditional student safety practices.
Social media risks
Ostrowski said sharing back-to-school photos on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram carries risks when too much personal information is included.
“There’s some dangers with sharing too much information that it can get used for some scary stuff sometimes,” Ostrowski said.
Ostrowski said sharing details such as a child’s grade, teacher’s name, and other identifying information can allow people to feel closer to children than they actually are and can lead to risks including identity theft, such as someone opening a credit card in a child’s name.
AI-related concerns
Ostrowski said artificial intelligence has introduced new risks, including people using children’s photographs to create child pornography through AI.
Ostrowski said Wisconsin has updated its laws in recent years to address AI-generated child pornography. She said creating, viewing or possessing AI-generated child pornography now carries the same level of punishment as content involving real children.
Ostrowski recommended being aware of the risks before posting photos of children and said avoiding posting altogether may be the safest option. She said if photos are shared, limiting the amount of information included is advised.
Traditional safety measures
Grimm said parents can take steps to protect their children using traditional safety practices. He recommended children know their parents’ full names, address and phone number. He also recommended parents save the school office’s main phone number saved in their own phones.
Grimm said elementary school counselors teach a personal safety unit that includes stranger awareness. He said parents whose children walk or bike to school should practice the route with them and identify safe places along the way, such as a church, a business or a trusted adult’s home, in case a child feels uncomfortable or scared.
Grimm said knowing a parent’s name and number is also important so a child does not simply say to call “mom” or “dad” without further information.
Grimm said Wausau’s small community elementary schools mean children often have school friends along their route, and parents can coordinate with other families so a child has a place to go if needed.
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