Is it dangerous to post cute picture of children on Gather?

Sometimes I think the more careful we are the more it intrigues the son of a guns. I don't know about you but I hate living in fear.

just don't list the childs name or where they live

I know what you mean, we went to the beach last year and my daughter had a bathing suit on, I wouldn't dare post that anywhere online!

I think it's ok but the bathing part is a bit much to me or children in bathing suit is a bit much to.

Hmmmm, it's a good question, and I've considered it myself. I'm not sure what the answer is. I guess it depends on the person. I try not to think about some dirty sicko out there looking at pictures of my kids here on Gather and getting a thrill out of it. It's sad that one even has to consider whether or not to post pictures of their kids somewhere. People are just sick.

I know I never did answer your question. I'm just not sure what the answer is.

And for any psycho who is reading this, come here and I WILL kill you!

I don't think you have to remove every picture... b t it is wise to keep in mind that you are posting them publicly and have no control over who sees what

that is always a good question and I don't know the answer.
I don't like someone one else's problem taking away my freedom but I also
don't want to endanger my child. There is a fine balance there.
I'd be careful not to use real names and other than that I just don't know.

I marked my photobucket not to make it open to the public to see.
Hopefully it is doing what it said it would do.

I think it's a personal decision...I have posted my kids like crazy on here but I don't mention any names....I know I have a cute video on you tube of my son dancing and he is wearing a shirt and underwear...I think all the time that someone sick will be looking at it...but what can you do really???

It's dangerous to post pictures of children anywhere online. Even if you don't give their names or location in the description, and you've never given their names or location anywhere in any of your articles, those pictures can be photoshopped to show them having sex with each other and adults
Yes, that actually happens.

Its scary how much information people post about their kids. Not that its wrong, or it shouldnt be. Its just that pedofiles are everywhere and we shouldnt make it easier on them. As for not posting pictures. I hate that idea too. I love to show of my nieces and nephews and I love to see other kids as well. I think we should all just be careful about details such as locations and schools and full names. I hope it doesnt come to the point we have to stop having fun.

it is a personal decision. My kids are grown, but if I had grand children, and the kids permission, I would. I know that pedophiles are around and they are going to find their targets. I am not going to hide in my home.

It is a scary thought and one that makes me glad that I don't have kids. I think that I would nix the bathing suit pics, if it were me.

Sick people will find their targets no matter what - a sad but true fact. I post pictures of my kids but i've taken down any real info on where I live. I don't give out their names unless they are to my friends. I'm more worried about them playing outside than I am about pictures online.

I have a common name so I am not worried and I put Tampa bay area as it covers a large amount of area. I have only posted pictures of my younger daughter as she had green hair. That is as much as I would post...I rarely post. I think it would take a lot to track someone down and my impression is that the pedophiles make computer contact with the child often first to lure them out of their homes if they are traveling a distance. With so many children in their neighborhoods I think most pick from where they live, getting the trust of the child.

I think it is a hard call with small children. They are so cute and it is nice to see everyone's children and grandchildren on Gather, but at the same time, it could be a risk. I would like to know the statistics on the circumstances involved. I would think that a pedophile could take plenty of pictures sitting in a car near a playground or school, or beach and we can't stop taking our kids there.

FI, that's uh, interesting. Sometimes I'm not cynical enough. I guess the rule is still "if it has a probability greater than 0 it will happen."

Well, I almost never post photos of my two OLDER children on any site. There are times when I have taken a particularly great photograph of my younger teen, and she is much to pretty for advertising! I feel very strongly about that. As far as babies go? Who does not adore a little baby or newborn infant if the photograph is done artfully? I really think for me my reason for putting up my photographs is to display my WORK, but not to display my family unit. Additionally if I were to put up a photograph of either of my older kids I would ask their PERMISSION!

I really don't believe that anybody should post photos anyplace on the internet about intimate life events unless they are entirely confident that they have complete control over WHO is viewing the photos.

And yes there ARE pedophiles. Entire sites which don't fall into the category of being illegal because of the First Amendment, Freedom Of Speech. So if you don't want to run the risk of somebody copying and pasting a photo of your kid to post on some pedophile site, I wouldn't take the risk.

Heather brings up an important point about a pedophile taking pictures at playgrounds, etc., and since this relates to my most recent First Photographer's Nightmare Experience I feel like I REALLY should write about it, now!

it's such a cruel world sometimes... i love seeing other peoples pictures of their kids and grandkids... but you never can tell who's looking besides us nice, decent people... try not to worry and let your heart guide you... God Bless...

Help my daughter-in-law become a published author -
please read and rate her Romance entry on Gather!
A Scandalous Overture

I'm paranoid about this type of thing. All of the pictures I've posted of me or my family only show our backs. I don't want people having family pictures of us. There are too many sickos out there these days. I'd rather be careful and safe then be sorry I didn't take these precautions.

I posted a couple of nice pictures of my niece between the ages of 4 and 7 years old...all very modest. The baithing stuff creeps me out, so I wouldn't do that. Anyway, my step-sis asked that they be removed, and I did, no questioned asked. She made a good point about not knowing who is out there.

This is a reprint from an organization called Keeping Kids Safe

"First you must ask yourself…..how likely is this? In reality, the fear that a pedophile is somehow going to see your child's picture, then become obsessed, go through the nearly impossible feat to identify your child in the first place, then develop an elaborate plan to somehow abduct your child, is about as likely as your child being hit with a small asteroid, twice in the same day.

Pedophiles are opportunists. While they may have preferences as to the way a child looks, the children they molest are based on the ones they have an opportunity to be around. And yes, nearly every pedophile is around children every day. We catch less than one percent of them, and they exist in a population well into the millions, likely into the tens of millions in the United States alone. The Keep your kids safe organization has recently come up with mathematical equations based on the most widely accepted numbers, indicating that around one in every 20-30 adults has active pedophile tendencies.

This fear of a pedophile finding your child's picture online, and then stalking your child for evil purposes, is nothing more than an urban legend. It has never happened, nor is it likely to in the future. It is simply not how they work. They do not need to go through elaborate heists to get children. Most are around kids every day. Even the ones who aren't and might consider an abduction, are going to search for the easiest victim. They will pick one out based on their geographic location, not go through great lengths to try and find and stalk a child's picture they saw on the internet."

I volunteer for a group called perverted justice which works with Chris Hansen and Dateline to catch all the pervs out there. I think as long as you dont post names and locations your cool.

Picture sharing over the web is a convenience. It is something loved by family and friends. When we breed a society where innocent pictures are too dangerous to be shared, then all we've done is added another atrocity.

Society would be much better off, if we could stop wasting time on these misguided fears, and instead apply the same effort to abuse prevention.

somehow that doesn't make me feel any better about the whole issue, April... it's all very sad - and scary - isn't it.

i think it is ok as long as you are not posting names and location. it is a dangerous world and anything can happen, but you cannot live in fear.

NO I am considering removing pictures of the kids that I have posted ,, but then I have them posted on my blog -- so where do I draw the line .. The pictures show no location where taken other than "home" ,"park" , "pool" - so I think I am being somewhat cautious.

Ick. I hate that you have to even think about this. I think you need to make that decision personally.

I wrote a similar article last week! You can go read the answers I got too! I removed all the pics that showed my kids faces! People can right click on images here and save them to their computers!

I think if you don't use their last names they are safe. There are weird people everywhere.

I have no problem with it...and if you look statistically, you're more likely to have "problems" with friends, relatives, or neighbors than someone you don't know.

You know, the worst pedophiles are the ones who go to your church...

That being said, I, too have been warned not to share pictures of my kids on the internet. If they're fully clothed and there's nothing that makes it obvious how to find our home, I don't feel bad doing it. I really don't think pedophiles are googling for pictures of kids playing in mud puddles...

I don't think you really have to worry about it too much (unless you also decided to post their location). They may look, but they won't really be able to do anything unless they are local and know where to locate the children.

I can't believe people have that much time on their hands that they have to go surfing for pics of innocent kids, let alone join gather to do so. I have gotten much worse pics in forwarded emails, believe it or not.

I think we are all safe here. As long as you don't mention last names, I just don't see a problem. I am not going to give into them. I wouldn't post pics with other people's kids in them, though. People get funny about that.

Don't worry, we'll be alright!

I've been concerned about some of the photos displayed on here. On their own they are fine but being sent out around the world isn't always the best.

I have posted photos of my daughters and their fellas but they are over 18 and have given me permission to post them.

That's always a good policy. Ask before posting and please, please don't post photos of young children with their names.

haven't really been on much, been away to Cadillac Mi.

Absolutely! You should remove your grandkids and all children. (Why do you think my son is never posted?)

These pedophiles can do whatever creepy stuff they want to these photos including posting them on their own twisted webpages.

The best policy is to err on the side of caution - and that means restricting them or not posting them at all.

You know, if anything I am so overprotective of my kids, but this scares me. If any of you have a problem, sing out loudly.

I don't have a major probem with it, but I remember one time I suggested via email that someone might not want to post a picture of her little girl on line and she got kind of upset with me. I was also not rude, and I know she probably thought I was prying or "butting in" on her parenting.

That wasn't the case! I've just seen and heard a lot of gross and creepy stuff by gross and creepy people and I wouldn't take a chance. I'm so glad my babies are young adults now so I don't have to struggle with issues like this! Do whatever you are comfortable with!

When you're a nice, respectable person, it just never occurs to you that people can be so evil and perverted. I hate even having to think about this stuff. But I know there are people out there who take advantage of non-suspecting, innocent people and use what they steal for their own twisted ends. Sadly, I think I will be deleting a few photos. Not worth the risk.

I would not post my daughters pic on the net.

When in doubt - KEEP IT OUT.

I think it's ok. Always be safe, teach the kids to be aware of their surroundings. Thanks

It's horrible dangerous. Shortly after posting photos of my adorable children on Gather a horrendous series of events occurred.

My computer was struck by lightning wiping out my hard drive. While I was on the way to Best Buy to get a new hard drive I was rear-ended by a semi that proceeded to drive completely over my car. The semi was driven by an illegal alien who didn't have insurance. When I got out of the hospital a month later I found out that my house had burned to the ground while I was gone. The kids were okay though because my husband had left me for a younger woman and taken them with him.

The above was satire.

I don't see an issue with posting your kids' photos on Gather.

I am more concerned with the registered offenders in my neighborhood. Even more for the ones that aren't registered. I think it's a personal decision/choice. They play outside at school, soccer games, go with me to Walmart. If I give in to all my fears, we would never leave the house. I would home-school. There would be no enrichment from friends. It's such a hard choice. I feel that if my pictures are tasteful (I guess to my best judgement) and fun, I don't have a problem with posting them.

I agree very much with Pepsie J.

I have to weigh in here. Yes - it is wrong to post your children's pictures on the internet. Pedophiles aren't even half of the problem. Identity theft is a problem also. There was a three year old whose parents applied for a Social Security number for their child. Social Security claimed to have already given the child a number. It turned out that someone was working under the child's name and held credit cards, etc. etc. There are many reasons to protect your children on the internet.

It is an excellent question you raise. When it comes down to it, the pictures of my kids get very few views., mostly by my real friends because I tell them to take a look. It seems like the chance is pretty slim that among the other 4 or 5 views there is a pedophile? You could make the chances even less by not tagging the pictures with any tags that reveal there are children in the picture. I'm at least going to take that tactic and remove some tags.

I have been on Gather for close to a year and have decided from the beginning not to post any pictures of my family. Since I use my full name, I am not comfortable with putting any pictures of them out for all to see.

This is the article Carol is referring to.

Within that article is another link to statistics and information on Pedophiles

What prompted me to write the article was the news reports concerning the three year old on video being brutally raped, and thought it would be of service to inform people that they could be putting their child at risk. NOT because I'm cynical (or critical, as was stated in Carol's article.)


What Is Pedophilia?
There is a difference between child pedophiles and child molesters. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pedophilia is a psychological disorder. It surrounds recurrent, intense sexual urges and fantasies which last for at least six months and focus on pre-pubescent children.
This typically refers to children who are under the age of 12 years old. Pedophilia doesn't always mean that the person commits a sex act upon a child. In fact, a child pedophile usually keeps his fantasies a secret. A pedophile will, however, attempt to remain close to a child or children to feed his fantasies. Those who do act upon their fantasies typically do so with two or more children. Pedophilia typically involves males and is considered rare in females.


There are different ways in which an offender can exploit a vulnerable child in cyberspace. Many offenders resort to seduction to lure their victims in. "These individuals are often willing to devote considerable amounts of time, money and energy in this process. They listen to and empathize with the problems of children. They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, and interests of children" [3]. In a sense, these individuals are attempting to build up a virtual relationship/friendship where in reality they can eventually gain trust.

Many of these offenders ultimately seek to sexually exploit the children they encounter online. These individuals are referred to as "online" pedophiles. "The pedophile is an adult who has either heterosexual or homosexual preferences for young boys or girls in a specific, limited age range" [4]. Online pedophiles fall into two categories: the dabbler or the preferential offender. The dabbler is essentially .a typical adolescent searching for pornography, a curious adult with a newly found access to pornography; or a profit-motivated criminal. The preferential offender is .usually a sexually indiscriminate individual with a wide variety of deviant sexual interests or a pedophile with a definite preference for children. [4]. When characterizing high tech pedophiles that have been arrested, Special Agent and Chief Spokesman Pete Gulotta of the FBI's "Innocent Images" Unit, says "they're almost all white males between the ages of 25 and 45. "We've had military officers with high clearances, pediatricians, lawyers, school principals, and tech executives" [5].


When it concerns your child, it's best to be educated and prepared. Pedophiles will make friends with parents, gain their trust and collect personal information. If you post pictures and videos be careful, and not so trusting. Imagine what a pedophile is doing while viewing your child. Then make wise decisions when choosing to share them with the public.

I would not and have not. There are way too many perverts in this world and you never know if they are printing your child's picture and doing who knows what with it. I was even afraid to put my own picture on here. My suggestion is not to do it.

ok us putting our kids I think is not bad,, if the pedofile want picture they will find the pic anywhere they can if it ours or anyone,, Here in lincoln some guy got busted for being a coach and posting his girls nude picture on myspace, he took pictures from a camera in the shower room for the girl, that is was is gross and preverted,, not our incents picture of no nmae kids,,

I don't think we should live in a world of fear about this, concern yes, but not fear. If we are all afraid of what might happen, then the evil wins, but if we take care and proper percautions, then we should be realitively safe.
On Gather, as long as you don't find any remarks of a lude nature towards your children/grandchildrem's images, then I would not worry. If on the other hand you do, I would both notify Gather and the police about it. Children are innocent and should be able to be that way, with proper support and care by their parents and guardians.

I took all pictures of my daughter off this site (only had 3 in the beginning anyway)

I'm not taking any chances!!!! Just my opinion!!!

I would think that a pedophile looking for pictures of children would be a lot more likely to visit a site more dedicated to children's photos. I know of a few and there's probably many more. Gather does, however, have groups intended solely for the publishing of kid's pictures, so it's definitely possible that there is someone like that on this site as well.
I suppose that we should all be aware of the way our modern world is and the risks involved with how we interact with it.

April H says it all ... typical unfounded paranoia !

I have no problem with it..but with the pic details should be avoided...

I'm very careful about posting pictures of myself because I just think that we all need to be careful...

My adult children have asked me not to post any pictures of our family and I comply.

Also, when I want to send them to a site or story I think they may enjoy, I never do it from the site where the site owners can get their email addresses. I copy the URL and paste it in a email to them.

While I don't expect someone doing something wrong all the time I do believe there are people who do and it is better to be safe.

Thanks for asking.

Carol you've raised an excellent question. I have a picture of my eldest on here (the beautiful girl by my side) and have often wanted to put one on of my other three for my close contacts to see as I talk about them often. I probably will do it but it has taken time for me to make that decision.

This is a great article to inform people with children. Sometimes the concepts are so alien that we can't understand the problem. I wouldn't post a picture of my child any where that was in any way risque out of respect for the child.

For the issues of pedophile, I really do think that those are crimes of opportunity. You need to know where and with whom your child are with always. The days of just kicking them out the door to play and discover is over in our world.

I am really a shamed to say this but it is a fact that a lot of abuse that happens to children is done by someone the family knows. I know it seems impossible but it is true.

I certainly would hope not, but I don't know. I just saw that 175 people in New Jersey were arrested yesterday for distributing child porn of very young children. 175!!!!! It's shocking and disgusting. For the life of me I can't understand how people become so depraved.

I try not to worry about it, and just post pictures of my kids in normal poses.

A lot of people do it, are they having problems that you know of?

I have wondered the same thing. I try not to worry though. I guess if they want to get photos of kids, they will find them somewhere, even newspapers.

Maybe we should have some serious research on why people obsess about sex.
Or why they lack self control and know when it is appropriate to think about it.
Apparently men predominantly are wired to think about sex quite often.
My question is how, why so many become perveted by it.
It is a moral, ethical issue of behavior..
Any one stands the risk of being corrupted today with all the available material.
Images are very powerful in motivating an individual..
We should refrain from watching those images and be aware of who does.

Yeah I just posted a picture tonight that I am thinking may not be a good one of my daughter...she is just in her diaper...I think that Gather is relatively safe, but yeah there will always be some sicko out there & like Victoria said: "And for any psycho who is reading this, come here and I WILL kill you!" I feel the same way! I think that people that are caught doing child porn or even looking at it should be killed! Then maybe people will think twice before doing that sort of thing...