“Can we send this picture?”
Before you reach for a phone, try a five-minute pretend conversation with your child. You’ll need paper, a pencil and a parent or carer to play along. Nothing needs to be photographed, uploaded or sent.
Draw a picture with a clue
Draw a toy bear beside an invented friend called Sam. In the background, add an envelope labelled “home address”, but don’t write a real address. Explain that you’ll speak for Sam during the conversation.
Your child can answer by talking, pointing, gesturing or using their usual communication support.
Look at the whole picture
Ask, “Who is in this picture?” and “Is there anything private?”
You could model the first answer: “Sam is beside the bear. That envelope says home address, so we need to stop and check it.” Point to the envelope and ask, “What could this tell someone?”
The main subject isn’t the only thing to notice. A background might show details connected to someone’s home, street or school. The eSafety Commissioner’s privacy advice for families suggests checking a picture for identifying details before sharing it.
Ask who can see it
Now ask, “Who would see it?” Make the request clear and specific: “Sam, could I show this picture to Grandma?”
Then explain, “Sam said we could draw the picture. We still need to ask about showing it to someone else.” Liking a picture, agreeing to be pictured and agreeing to share the picture with a particular person are different decisions. The eSafety Commissioner’s guidance about permission and sharing images separates permission to take a picture from permission to share it.
Try three replies
- Sam says, “No, keep it here.” Reply, “OK, we won’t share it.”
- Sam says, “I’m not sure—let’s ask together.” Keep the picture on the table and name a trusted adult who could help.
- Sam says, “Yes, just to Grandma.” Explain that this doesn’t include a family group or a public post. An adult still checks the whole picture and how it might be shared.
Don’t steer Sam towards yes. Asking first and respecting no are part of the eSafety Commissioner’s child-friendly sharing advice.
Let the adult ask too
Swap roles for a moment. Ask your child, “Could I show your drawing to Grandma?” If they say no, accept the answer without bargaining: “OK, I’ll keep it here.” This lets the adult model asking before sharing and respecting the child’s decision.
Add one simple explanation: “Even when we send a picture to one person, they could copy it or pass it on.” Keep responsibility for the final sharing decision with the adult.
Try a picture with no people
Draw the bear again without Sam, but leave the pretend envelope visible. Ask, “There are no people in this one. What would you still check?”
A useful reply might be, “The private details in the background. I’d ask you to help.” If your child is unsure, point to the envelope and ask what it might tell somebody. Practising how to seek help from a trusted adult fits ACARA’s Years 1–2 online safety guidance.
For teachers
Teachers wanting a longer Foundation–Year 2 sequence can consider the Online Safety and Teamwork Unit. It includes a Stop, Think, Ask, Share online safety poster and a Safe Share Sorting Game mat. This is a digital product; no physical item is shipped. It is licensed for the purchasing educator’s own classroom use.
Keep the picture on the table
Ask your child to name or point to someone who could help when they’re unsure. Then finish with the family decision: “We can enjoy this here. Before showing a picture to someone else, we’ll look carefully, ask the people involved and check together.”