Sharing kids' birthday party photos safely

Why not just post them

Every family has its own comfort level with pictures of their kids online. It's good manners to respect that, and it isn't hard to do.

Other families at the party may have their own rules about photos of their children online. Some parents avoid it entirely, and they aren't always in a position to say so at the party. Keeping photos out of public feeds avoids the question.

Keep it among the guests

Use a private gallery that only the people invited can see, and turn off public access. Review photos before they appear, so you can leave out anything a parent wouldn't want shared. Collect as little information as possible about the children, such as a first name and age.

Tell parents in the invitation

A short line works: "We'll have a private gallery for party photos, for families at the party only. Let us know if you'd rather your child not appear." Most parents appreciate being asked, and you'll know about any concerns ahead of time.

When a parent asks to remove a photo

Take it down without any debate, and check whether other photos show the same child. It costs you nothing and it means a lot to them.

A word about older kids

Tweens and teens have strong opinions about photos of themselves. If you're sharing photos of a 13-year-old's party, ask them what they're comfortable with first. It's their party, after all.