What AI Sees That You Don't: The Hidden GPS in Your Family's Photos

Technology brings both opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to privacy. Recently, I experienced firsthand how advanced AI tools have become when my nephews and I posed for a simple picture in front of a small self-service car wash. Although it was a fun family moment, it became a moment of reflection when I used an AI vision tool to analyze the image.

Even without any attached location tags or captions, the AI swiftly identified the blue car wash canopy, gray cinder block walls, and a distinctive pink tree in the background. In less than ten seconds, it provided the precise address where the photo was taken, showing longitude, latitude, the business name, and the Google Street View angle.

This was a major wake-up call. A single photo can give away your exact location, not just to friends, but to strangers too. In the wrong hands, that kind of information could help predators, bullies, or even burglars figure out exactly where your family is, and when you’re most at risk.

What AI Sees That You Don't: The Hidden GPS in Your Family's Photos (Parent video)

The Power of AI

• As the capabilities of AI tools grow, it's important for families to be aware of the potential risks involved with sharing digital media
• When kids post selfies outside of familiar locations like schools or favorite hangouts, they might unknowingly broadcast their precise whereabouts to the world
• A predator could become aware of someone's daily pattern that would make it easy to follow or contact them
• Awareness and proactive strategies can empower families to protect themselves while still engaging on social media

What can parents do?

Here are four crucial measures every family should consider adopting to guard against the risks of online location-based services:

1. Dialogue with Your Kids: Start an open discussion with your children about their online public footprint. Explain how AI can discover personal information, reinforcing why maintaining privacy is crucial. A strong dialogue fosters understanding and cooperation.
2. Examine Images Before Posting: Before sharing a photo online, take a moment to assess it. Are there identifiable landmarks, street signs, or details that could give away your location? Encourage your family to avoid sharing photos that show regular routines or common locations you visit frequently.
3. Delay Posts: Encourage your children to post photos after they have left a location instead of immediately. By waiting, you help reduce the risk of someone using real-time information to track their movements, safeguarding your family's security.
4. Keep Social Media Accounts Private: Ensure your child's social media profiles are set to private, limiting their audience to only approved, trusted friends. By doing so, you preserve their privacy and control over who sees their shared content.

Additional Resources for Parents

AI for Student Success: Being Productive and Learning Future Skills

AI Chatbots: What Parents Need to Know

Shine Online: Positive Impact of Social Media & Screen Time

Conclusion

As AI tools become more powerful, even the most innocent photo can reveal far more information than we intended. By talking openly with our kids, reviewing images before we post, delaying real-time sharing, and tightening privacy settings, we can help our families stay safer online. Social media doesn’t have to be scary—but it does require smart habits. What we post should reflect our values, not expose our vulnerabilities. Let’s teach our kids to share with intention, not risk.