Help Wanted – "Should I Not Post Photos Of My Kids Online? Help!"

Podcast by Money News Network
Hosts: Jason Feifer & Nicole Lapin
Release Date: September 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the complex question facing many modern parents: Should you post photos of your kids online? Hosts Jason Feifer and Nicole Lapin bring personal experience and opposing viewpoints, exploring balancing parental pride, privacy, safety, and children’s autonomy in a hyper-connected world. The discussion is thoughtful, candid, and relevant for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone contemplating their digital footprint.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hosts’ Personal Social Media Policies

Jason’s Approach (00:39–06:27)

• Jason, a parent of a 10-year-old and 6-year-old, describes a moderate policy on sharing his kids online.
• His accounts, primarily professional, feature only occasional, fairly generic family moments (birthdays, funny antics), avoiding private or potentially embarrassing details.
• Quote:

  “When my kids are young enough that they don’t care, I think it’s okay to post a photo of them. … I don’t share like private information about my kids or things that I think they might be unhappy years later were shared on the Internet.” — Jason (02:51)

• As his son grows older and expresses a preference against being photographed, Jason honors this agency.

Nicole’s Approach (06:27–08:41)

• Nicole, new mom to an 8-month-old, describes a much more restrictive stance—her daughter’s face is never shown, and she is highly cautious about personal details.
• Motivated partly by learning about the risks during a “Money Rehab” episode and her own complicated relationship with the internet.
• Quote:

  “I just feel so, so protective of her now that she’s in the world. … She also has a clean slate. … I don’t want to give her any complexes. I certainly don’t want to be the culprit of any additional trauma.” — Nicole (07:09)

2. The Safety vs. Reality Trade-Off

(08:41–12:29)

• They discuss the risks: predator misuse, unwanted digital identity, oversharing sensitive info, and privacy violations.
• Jason argues that full privacy is impossible and the expectation is no longer realistic.
• Nicole shares that hearing horror stories (identity theft, child exploitation) prompted her extreme caution.
• Both agree that some parents handle it with tactics like using emojis over faces or sharing photos only from behind.

3. Weighing Upside vs. Downside

(08:45–12:29)

• Jason introduces a mental filter:

  “If I post anything mildly controversial, if I post a political opinion, the upside is extremely small and the downside is enormous.” — Jason (08:52)

• Applied to kids’ photos: the benefit (likes, fleeting joy) is minor versus the huge possible downsides.
• Nicole generally agrees but notes that sometimes "safe" content is less resonant, and taking a stand can strengthen a brand.

4. Handling Children’s Autonomy

(05:29–06:27, 12:55–14:59)

• Jason believes that once children express preferences, their wishes should be respected.
• Example:

  “…my 10-year-old has now reached a point where he’s made a decision for himself, which is that he basically doesn’t like being photographed… I definitely know I’m not going to take a photo of him and put him online because he doesn’t really want it.” — Jason (04:24)

• Nicole, reflecting on her own past, wants her child to have a blank slate and freedom to choose her digital identity.

5. Risk Tolerance and Parenting Styles

(14:59–16:49)

• Jason candidly admits he doesn’t live his life based on worst-case scenarios:

  “…like, planes crash, but I still get on a plane. … I’m just going to take that bet because it improves my life enough to be able to travel around. … The percentage chance of that coming back to bite me is too small for me to live my life around.” — Jason (13:37)

• Nicole lives on “the other side of the spectrum,” choosing to act conservatively in face of even tiny risks (15:19).

6. Intentionality and Evolving Perspectives

(16:51–18:15)

• Nicole pushes Jason to reconsider whether he’s living his own advice about upside/downside.
• Jason admits to a lack of prior intentionality, expressing a desire to be more thoughtful going forward.
• Quote:

  “…what you have done in this conversation is made me more aware of something that I wasn’t being that intentional about. … I always want to do is to just do everything intentionally.” — Jason (16:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Growing Up Online:

  “…how cool is it to have a clean slate? Like, I don’t want to mess up her slate.” — Nicole (07:18)

• On Mutual Respect for Parenting Styles:

  “I think that they should do it in consultation with their kids as soon as their kids are able to express an opinion.” — Jason (12:58)

• On Personal Growth in Parenting:

  “To be intentional isn’t to try to be perfect, right? … But to live that is always to discover places where you were doing something that you just hadn’t thought enough about.” — Jason (17:28)

• Humorous Closure:

  “Text me the latest photos.” — Nicole (18:12)
  “Well, you get the emoji-free version.” — Jason (18:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39–06:27 Jason & Nicole share personal policies and stories on posting kids online
• 06:27–08:41 Nicole explains her strict privacy stance and reasons
• 08:41–12:29 Weighing risks; the “upside vs. downside” litmus test
• 12:29–14:59 Navigating controversy, child autonomy, and digital audiences
• 14:59–16:49 Contrasting risk tolerances in parenting styles
• 16:51–18:15 Jason re-examines his intentionality in sharing
• 18:15–end Light banter and wrap-up

Tone and Style

The episode is friendly, candid, and pragmatic—marked by mutual respect even in disagreement. Both hosts blend humor and real talk while sharing personal examples, leaving listeners with actionable reflections and a sense that there’s no “one right answer,” only thoughtful, intentional choices.

Summary Takeaway

There is no universal playbook for parents navigating social media and kids' privacy. The best approach is honest self-assessment, intentional action, and, most importantly, consulting children as they grow. Whether your inclination is towards strict privacy or moderated sharing, both hosts agree: Prioritize your child's well-being—and trust your own thoughtful judgment.