The Pasco County Sheriff's Office wants parents to think twice before posting those first-day-of-school photos.
With Pasco County Schools opening Thursday, Aug. 13, the sheriff's office issued a "Pause Before Posting" advisory on Tuesday, Aug. 11, warning that popular chalkboard-style signs and social media posts can hand predators exactly the information they need to target children.
The advisory identifies five categories of details parents should conceal: children's ages and physical descriptions, favorite items and personal interests, school name, school location and teacher's name.
Predators use those details to build trust with potential victims, the sheriff's office said. Its graphic, designed to mimic the trendy first-day signs, pairs common entries with specific warnings. An example listing a child's favorite recess activity is flagged because predators seek out favorite items to lure victims. A school name entry warns parents to "withhold information that identifies students' location to stay safe."
The advisory landed in the 48-hour window before the first bell rings, when families across Wesley Chapel and Pasco County are preparing first-day posts.
What to leave out of your posts
The sheriff's office recommends parents avoid including:
- Age, grade or physical description
- Favorite activities or personal interests
- School name or location
- Teacher's name
Part of a broader push
This is the third back-to-school safety advisory the Pasco Sheriff's Office has issued since Aug. 3. The office warned that day about joke school threats and predator risks from sign photos, then followed with an Aug. 7 advisory about AI deepfake scams targeting students.
Police departments nationwide have echoed similar guidance. WFLA reported that agencies including the San Antonio Police Department warned that details visible in first-day sign photos could be used by strangers to "deceive your child."
The Pasco Sheriff's Office can be reached for non-emergency questions at (727) 847-8102. The first day of school for Pasco County students is Thursday, Aug. 13.
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