In the digital age, sharing children’s photos online has become a common practice for many parents, often seen as a way to celebrate milestones or express pride. However, cybersecurity experts are raising alarms about the significant risks associated with this seemingly innocent habit. Sara Al Kindi, a cybersecurity expert, highlights that every image or detail shared can lead to identity theft, misuse of facial recognition technology, location tracking, grooming, and exploitation. Once uploaded, these images are often permanently stored on servers, leaving a lasting digital footprint beyond parental control. According to Kaspersky’s Growing Up Online study, 48% of parents in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa share their children’s photos on social media, with 28% doing so without privacy restrictions. This exposes children to potential misuse by strangers. Maryam Hassan, a Dubai-based mother, shared her experience of switching her Instagram account to private after strangers began commenting on her children’s photos. Priyanka Chatterjee, CEO of the London College of Cyber Security, emphasized that routine details like school names and addresses can make children vulnerable to real-world exploitation. She also warned about the rise of AI-generated child exploitation material, which has seen a dramatic increase in recent months. Dr. Saleha Afridi, a clinical psychologist, advises parents to consider their children’s consent and avoid sharing sensitive information publicly. Experts recommend using private cloud storage, encrypted platforms, and removing identifying details from posts to safeguard children’s privacy and security.