Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more

    Do you post photos of your kids on Facebook?

    Some parents love to share; others are more cautious

    Published: August 21, 2014 04:45 PM

    Find Ratings

    In 10 short years, Facebook has grown from being a niche site only for college students to an online juggernaut used by 57 percent of American adults. The social network has become the default way to keep connected with family and friends.

    Children, of course, are a huge part of life. You probably have friends and family who flood your newsfeed with photos of their kids—some even open Facebook accounts for their newborns—but  some parents aren't comfortable doing that.

    When we asked our Facebook readers whether they posted photos of their children on the social network, we received answers that fell all along the spectrum between "yes" and "no." One told us simply, "I refrain from all pictures." Another said, "I need to stop."  

    For tips on staying safe online, visit our guide to Internet security.

    One comment was: "I've refrained. I want my kids to be safe. There are better ways of sharing photos." This started a conversation. In one response to that comment, another reader said: "You should be more concerned with teaching your kids safe Web usage than preventing their picture from being seen. Child predators try to engage children directly. I don't know what 'safety' you're providing them by not posting pictures."

    Falling around the middle of the conversation was this comment: "I share family pictures and pictures of just my kids. They are set to 'friends only.'" I have nothing set to Public." Then there were a few people who were even less concerned. "It's fine," said one.

    In many ways, this is a personal decision about how much privacy you want for yourself—and for them. One reader said she would post her children's photos only when they're old enough to have their own accounts (that's 13 years old on Facebook).

    We'd like to know what you think: Take our quick poll (it's also at the upper right of this page) and get an instant read on the results. And watch our video below to learn how to edit and change some of the most important Facebook privacy settings.

    —Carol Mangis

    Find Ratings

    Computers Ratings

    View and compare all Computers ratings.

    Tablets Ratings

    View and compare all Tablets ratings.

    E-mail Newsletters

    FREE e-mail Newsletters! Choose from cars, safety, health, and more!
    Already signed-up?
    Manage your newsletters here too.

    Online Security News

    Cars

    Cars Build & Buy Car Buying Service
    Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.

    See your savings

    Mobile

    Mobile Get Ratings on the go and compare
    while you shop

    Learn more