According to the police, photos of children in swimwear or with little clothing can quickly spread across social media or end up on inappropriate websites. There is also a risk that individuals try to approach children with abusive intent.
Parents and other adults are advised to keep children under constant supervision and to stay alert to suspicious behaviour by strangers. Action is needed if someone shows unusual interest in a child or takes photos without the knowledge of parents or guardians. The same applies when noticing someone photographing other children.
Special caution is recommended regarding people who remain near children without a clear reason, as well as behaviour involving objects that could be used to conceal a phone or camera.
If suspicious behaviour is noticed, people should inform the police immediately and alert others nearby. It is also important to talk to children about these risks and teach them to seek help from adults if they feel uncomfortable or if someone tries to photograph them.
The police also advise caution when sharing photos of children on social media. Parents are discouraged from posting images showing children in swimwear, underwear or without clothing, as such content may fall into the hands of individuals who misuse it for illegal purposes.
They add that children need to be aware of risks online as well. Due to trust, they often find it harder to recognise danger or false intentions. Parents should therefore remind them not to send intimate images or personal data to unknown people and to be careful in online communication.
The police stress that protecting children’s privacy is important both in everyday life and online.
