Influencer who kept her kids offline was approached by a ‘follower’ outside school — then a call from school revealed what she was really after
As much as internet users enjoy witnessing the daily lives of influencers displayed on social media, there has always been skepticism around posting kids' content. Instagram influencer Kat Kamalani (@katkamalani) had been avoiding posting pictures of her children online for quite a few years. Recently, when she was approached by a "follower" who wanted to take a picture with her family, a call she received later left her entire family shaken. Sharing the incident on Friday, April 3, 2026, the influencer urged parents to think twice before putting their kids' content on the internet.
When Kamalani and her husband went to pick up their kids from school, she noticed someone talking to her husband. The stranger introduced themselves as one of their followers, who wanted to take a picture with Kamalani's family. She agreed to pose for a photo and went back to their car. Soon after, she received a call from their kids' school, informing her that somebody had shown up, asking for details about her kids. The stranger said that they also wanted a picture with the influencer. That was when Kamalani realized that the woman who asked for the photo earlier was the same person seeking information about her kids.
The influencer expressed her shock at the scary experience, urging parents to keep their kids' information off the internet. After speaking to her brother's friend at the FBI, she learned about illegal ways people obtain information about kids online. "I hope you rethink what you post after hearing my story today," she wrote. A report by NPR noted that the black market thrives on data and information about children. "Kids' Social Security numbers, when combined with date of birth, name, and address, are often good targets for identity theft," it read. The report also explained that, beyond safety concerns, once a photo is on the internet, it can lead to tragic cases of stalking, bullying, and harassment.
While the influencer stopped sharing her kids' content online, older videos and photos posted several years ago still surface on the internet, which is difficult to control. The influencer's video drew the attention of parents online, who chimed in to share their thoughts. @mom.uncharted mentioned, "I've been advocating for parents to prioritize their children's right to privacy, informed consent, and digital safety for years. Thank you for sharing your story."
@beefany2619 remarked, "This is why you don't post your personal information and use your real name. You can't have a public life and then expect privacy." @thecoloramber recounted, "When my little sister was like… 11? She found out where her favorite influencer lived by the husband's Strava account! It took her like 15 seconds. Immediately made me freak out that if my completely innocent sister could figure it out that easily, someone with ill intent could too."
For more such informative content on parenting, follow @katkamalani on Instagram.