Childhood Photos Online Fuel Identity Theft Surge

Innocent Shares Pose Growing Risks to Future Security

Millions of parents routinely document their children’s lives on social media, unaware they may be inadvertently creating opportunities for criminals to exploit their children’s identities for financial gain and other fraudulent activities.

The Hidden Dangers of Digital Sharing

Tech experts are sounding the alarm about the potential long-term consequences of posting images of children online. These images can be used for identity theft, fraud, extortion, and even exploitation, allowing cybercriminals to establish fraudulent bank accounts and claim government benefits.

According to a recent report by the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft claims involving children under 18 increased by 71% between 2022 and 2023. (FTC Data Spotlight, 2024)

“Parents are unwittingly opening their children up to possible exploitation by criminals who want to use their data for their own purposes,”

—Carsten Maple, Professor, University of Warwick and The Alan Turing Institute

How Criminals Exploit Shared Images

The information gleaned from seemingly harmless photos – a child’s name, school, location, or even visible birthdates – can be pieced together to create a detailed profile. This profile can then be used to open credit cards, apply for loans, or even file fraudulent tax returns in the child’s name.

The consequences of such identity theft can be far-reaching, potentially impacting the child’s credit score and financial opportunities for years to come. Detecting and resolving child identity theft can be a complex and time-consuming process.

Experts recommend parents carefully consider what they share online and adjust their privacy settings to limit access to their children’s images and personal information. Regularly monitoring credit reports, once a child reaches the age of 16, is also advised.