In partnership with
Your guide to safer kids online
In this issue, we’d like you to be aware of something called EXIF Data.
We’ve all done it; it’s a normal and even predictable behaviour, taking photos of our kids, we know. A cute photo of them in the house, at the park, or in front of the school gates, taking from our smartphone, and sometimes, we just want to "send" that pic to the rest of the family via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc, or "post it". But what if we told you that you might be handing to others a digital map directly to your child’s location every time you do it? Well, that’s what EXIF Data is about.
The "Digital Trail" You Can't See
Each photo contains EXIF Data, a type of metadata that sticks to the image file like a permanent sticky note—the word stands for Exchangeable Image File Format.
Essentially, every time we take a picture, it doesn't just capture the light; it acts like a digital notary, stamping the file with the exact date, time, and—if not disabled—the precise GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) of where the photo was taken.
📊 Fact
Did you know that research shows over 60% of parents have accidentally posted images of their children with active geotags?
For example, your child’s first day of school is, to you, a special moment and a new memory that you want to immortalise with a photo, but to a bad actor is nothing more than a trail of high-definition digital breadcrumbs that leads exactly to your child’s school. Hence, while you are seeing your child’s smiling face, a predator or a stranger can see:
The exact GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) of your home.
The time and date your child is usually at school.
The specific model of phone you use.
Just for you to know, this information can be found simply by downloading the photo > right-clicking on it > and going to "Properties" (on Windows) or "Get Info" (on Mac).
While major social media sites state that they “remove” this data when you upload your pics, other platforms often keep it attached—leaving the map intact. So if you email a photo of your kid, or share a school play photo in a group chat, that "hidden map" may go with it.
✅ The "Vigilant Parent" Photo Checklist
Before you post or send another photo, run through these four steps:
Kill the Geotag
Go to your phone settings and revoke the Camera’s access to your Location. This stops the "map" from being created in the first place.
For iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera > Select "Never."
For Android: Open Camera app > Settings (Gear icon) > Toggle "Save Location" to Off.
The Screenshot Trick
Want to share a photo safely? Take a screenshot of the photo and share the screenshot instead. Screenshots don't usually store GPS data.
Check the "Metadata"
If sending via email, right-click the file on a PC to "Remove Properties" or use a "Metadata Remover" app on your phone.
Watch the Background
If sending via email, right-click the file on a PC to "Remove Properties" or use a "Metadata Remover" app on your phone.
Please keep in mind that turning the setting off today doesn't "clean" old photos. So if you want to post a "Throwback Thursday" photo from 2024, that GPS data is still inside the file unless you "scrub" it.
Moreover, if you are highly concerned about privacy, it is best to use a dedicated tool to remove EXIF data before uploading, rather than relying on the platform to do it for you. If you opt to use one of these, keep in mind that local desktop tools (like ExifTool, ExifCleaner, MAT2) are more secure than online tools, as they do not require uploading files to a server.
Pro-Tip for iPhone Users: When you go to share a photo and click the "Options" button at the top of the screen, you can toggle off "Location" before sending it. It’s a quick way to keep your privacy intact on the fly!
🛡️ The "Safety Script" for Teens
When talking to teenagers, avoid being the "Tech Police." Instead, frame it as Operational Security (OpSec)—something cool and strategic.
The Opening: > "Hey, I just learned something crazy about how our phones work. Did you know that when you send a photo, it can actually have a hidden map attached to it that shows exactly where you were standing?"
The Logic: > "Once a photo is out there, we lose control of where it goes. If that photo gets screenshotted or shared by someone else, we’re essentially giving out our home address to strangers without even knowing it."
The Action: > "Let’s look at our settings together just to make sure we’re 'scrubbing' the location data before posting so you can stay private while still being social."
The Bottom Line
Digital safety isn't about being afraid to share your life; it’s about sharing it on your terms. By stripping the "Hidden Map" from your photos, you ensure that the only thing people see is your child’s smile—not their coordinates.
Stay vigilant.
The VP Team
Smart starts here.
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