Should We Still Post That Baby Photo? A Family’s Guide to AI-Aware Sharing

I remember a Sunday afternoon a few weeks back. My oldest had dug out an old photo album – the kind with sticky pages and faded prints – and we spent hours laughing, remembering, and, honestly, cringing at some truly questionable hairstyles. 

But as we went through it, a thought kept nagging at me: how are we curating these memories now, in the age of AI and instant shares?

It’s not as simple as a physical album anymore, is it? We’re constantly snapping, sharing, and storing hundreds of digital photos. Just last week, we sat down as a family and did something I honestly should have done sooner: we sorted through our kid pics, deciding together which ones were truly "share-worthy" and which should stay private. The kids, predictably, had very strong opinions.

This isn't just about embarrassing baby photos, though. The rapid evolution of AI technology means our digital images carry more information than ever. Tools can now enhance photos with incredible precision, but they also introduce new questions about who owns that data, who can access it, and how it might be used. It's a delicate dance between capturing life's moments and safeguarding our family's digital footprint.

We've seen headlines recently about the broader implications of AI and personal data—from concerns about AI chatbots interacting with teens to the general need for clear policies in schools. While these stories aren't always directly about photo sharing, they underscore a critical truth: understanding and managing our digital privacy is no longer optional. It's a fundamental family skill.

Think about it: shared family albums, photo releases for school events, even those cute filters that subtly improve an image. Each interaction comes with a hidden layer of privacy considerations. Are those shared albums truly private? Who has access to school photos and for how long? And what happens when AI can recognize faces with uncanny accuracy, or even generate new images based on our existing ones? Sounds like something from a sci-fi movie? It's happening now.

This isn't to say we should retreat from technology. Far from it. We can embrace these tools smartly. The key is informed action. That’s why, inspired by our family's "photo privacy purge," I’ve put together a mini-guide: Family Photo Privacy Settings (iOS/Android). It’s a practical, direct walkthrough to help you navigate your phone’s settings, understand common pitfalls, and take control of your family’s visual story.

It’s about making conscious choices, talking to our kids about digital citizenship, and setting up systems that give us peace of mind. After all, those memories are precious. Let's make sure we're preserving them, not just sharing them without a second thought.

🧠 Want to Make AI Work For Your Family?

📰 This Week in AI & Family Tech

• When a Chat Thread Turns Dark: How Parents Can Respond to AI, Screens, and Teen Distress: This insightful blog post dives into the complex and often painful reality of AI chatbots and teen mental health. It’s a crucial read for any parent grappling with the digital lives of their children, offering practical guidance on what to watch for and how to foster open conversations. (warrenschuitema.com)

• Planning Our Family Day at ArtPrize 2025: a hopeful, practical plan: See how AI isn't just about big tech. This article explores how a family used AI tools to create a stress-free, memorable outing to ArtPrize, discovering kid-friendly installations and optimizing their visit. It's a great example of AI simplifying real-world family logistics. (warrenschuitema.com)

• The Broader AI Privacy Picture: Beyond photos, recent discussions highlight increasing concerns about AI's role in schools and its impact on teen safety and privacy. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, setting clear policies and involving parents is essential. (Axios, OpenAI, GovTech)

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Mini-Guide: Family Photo Privacy Settings (iOS/Android)

Keeping your family photos private in a world of instant shares and AI advancements can feel overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be. Here’s a quick, actionable guide to locking down your privacy settings on both iOS and Android.

For iOS Users:

1. Review Photos App Permissions:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos.

• For each app listed, decide if it needs "All Photos," "Selected Photos," or "None." "Selected Photos" is your best bet for maximizing privacy, allowing you to choose exactly which images an app can access.

• Pro-Tip: Many social media apps don't need "All Photos" access. Grant them access only when you're actively sharing a photo.

2. Shared Albums Settings:

• If you use iCloud Shared Albums, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos.

• Ensure Shared Albums is toggled OFF if you don't use them, or review each shared album individually in the Photos app to see who has access.

• Crucial Step: In individual shared albums, check "Subscribers" and "Public Website" to ensure only trusted individuals can view them. Turn off "Public Website" unless absolutely necessary.

3. Location Services for Photos:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera.

• Consider setting this to "Never" or "Ask Next Time" to prevent your location data from being embedded in your photos, especially those you might share.

4. Face Recognition (People & Places):

• The Photos app automatically identifies faces. While convenient for organizing, be aware of this feature. There's no direct "off" switch for facial recognition, but managing which photos you share and their metadata is key.

For Android Users:

1. Manage App Permissions:

• Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.

• Select your Camera app, Gallery app, and any social media apps.

• Tap Permissions > Files and media.

• Choose "Ask every time" or "Don't allow" unless an app explicitly needs access to all your media. "Allow only while using the app" is often a good compromise.

2. Google Photos Privacy Controls:

• Open the Google Photos app.

• Tap your profile picture (top right) > Photos settings > Privacy.

• Review Group similar faces (turn this off if you're concerned about AI facial recognition).

• Check your Partner Sharing settings to ensure you know exactly who has access to your photos.

3. Remove Location Data Before Sharing:

• When sharing a photo from your Gallery or Google Photos, look for an option to "Remove location" or "Hide location data" before sending. This is often a small toggle or a setting found by tapping "More options" during the share process.

4. Secure Your Lock Screen:

• Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock.

• Ensure you have a strong PIN, password, or biometric unlock method enabled. This prevents unauthorized access to your photos if your phone falls into the wrong hands.

Taking a few minutes to adjust these settings can make a world of difference in protecting your family’s digital privacy. It’s a small investment for a much larger peace of mind.

If you have any questions or need help, we have a growing community on Facebook called “AI-Powered Super Parents” where we would love to have you join us and someone in the community can help you with anything you might need!

Until Next Week,

Warren Schuitema