YouGov survey shows: Growing awareness of the risks when posting photos of children – eco provides tips for protection
- Nevertheless, only 5 % blur children’s faces in photos, only 13 % specifically use privacy settings, and 8 % of the population still refrain from taking any protective measures at all
- eco Complaints Office gives 5 tips
- AI can automatically detect and analyse holiday photos and place them in problematic contexts
The first federal states have already started their summer holidays and many families will be sharing their holiday experiences with friends and relatives via social media. But how conscious are parents and holidaymakers about sharing holiday photos?
More and more people seem to be aware of the risks associated with sharing holiday photos – especially those showing children – online: According to a recent representative YouGov survey* commissioned by eco – Association of the Internet Industry, many users are already taking protective measures. For example, 40 % only share holiday photos with selected people, and 21 per cent avoid posting photos that show children. However, the issue remains highly relevant, as only 13 % specifically use privacy settings when posting on social media, and almost one in ten (8 %) still do not take any protective measures at all.
“Parents must always be aware that holiday photos posted online can be seen not only by friends and relatives, but, depending on the online service and the privacy settings selected, potentially also by strangers,” warns Alexandra Koch-Skiba, Head of the eco Complaints Office. “With the increasing use of artificial intelligence, even seemingly harmless images can be found more easily and then saved and placed into inappropriate contexts.”
Respondents take the following protective measures when sharing holiday photos of their children: (multiple answers possible):
- 40% only share photos with a select group of people
- 34% avoid sharing holiday photos at all
- 21% avoid sharing pictures that show children
- 20% take care not to post sensitive content such as children in swimwear
- Only 13% make specific use of privacy settings
- Only 5% make children’s faces unrecognizable
“We see that many people are already taking initial precautions to share their images more consciously,” says Koch-Skiba. “Parents today are much more attentive than they were a few years ago when it comes to children’s photos online – that’s something that our long-term observations confirms. At the same time, there are still major gaps in practical protection behaviour. New technologies such as AI-based image analysis mean that digital vigilance is more important than ever.”
Post safely instead of sharing carelessly: 5 tips from eco for parents and holidaymakers:
- AI sees more than you think
Modern algorithms can automatically identify faces, locations and even clothing. Therefore: Make faces unrecognisable as far as possible – for example, by using stickers or pixelation. Also keep an eye on the background of the image.
- Avoid showing too much skin
Photos of children in swimwear should never be published on the Internet. Such images can be misused, taken out of context or even automatically distributed via image databases or found by crawlers. Protect your child’s privacy and safety by refraining from uploading such images.
- Share wisely – not with the whole world
Restrict who can see content on social media. Many platforms now offer tools for granular controls – make active use of them.
- Involve children – and raise awareness
Talk to older children about which photos are being posted. After all, it is also about their personal right to privacy. Early media education also strengthens their awareness of digital privacy.
5. Report illegal content – and reconsider your own posts
Anyone who comes across problematic content can report it easily and anonymously via the eco Complaints Office. And if you have a bad feeling about your own posts, it is better to refrain from posting them or delete them.
“The Internet never forgets – and AI makes it easier for content to be found,” says Koch-Skiba. “Anyone who shares holiday photos bears responsibility – parents have a special role model function here.”
The data in this survey is based on online interviews with members of the YouGov panel who agreed to participate in advance. A total of 2,012 people were surveyed between 13 and 16 June 2025. The results are representative of the resident population in Germany aged 18 and over.
About eco:
With approximately 1,000 member companies, eco (international.eco.de) is the leading Association of the Internet Industry in Europe. Since 1995, eco has been highly instrumental in shaping the Internet, fostering new technologies, forming framework conditions, and representing the interests of its members in politics and international forums. eco has offices based in Cologne, Berlin and Brussels. In its work, eco primarily advocates for a high-performance, reliable and trustworthy ecosystem of digital infrastructures and services.
