Social Media and Your Nanny Job: What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Post

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to stay connected, share experiences, and even advance our careers. We use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to network with other professionals, showcase our expertise, and even find job opportunities. However, for nannies working in private households, particularly with VIP or high-net-worth families, social media can become a hazard.

One wrong post, careless comment, or leaked detail can jeopardize your job, violate confidentiality agreements, and damage your professional reputation. Social media etiquette is crucial for maintaining trust and professionalism in your role, especially if you work with a well-known public figure, a high-profile entrepreneur, or a private family.

This guide will help you understand:
What you should and shouldn’t post on social media as a nanny
How to protect your professional reputation while enjoying online platforms
Practical tips for managing your digital presence responsibly

The Risks of Social Media for Nannies

Even if you think your posts are harmless, they can still create problems for you and your employer. Many nannies have lost their jobs or faced legal action due to misjudging what’s appropriate to share online.

1. Breaching Confidentiality Agreements

Many private employers, especially VIP and high-net-worth families, require nannies to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These legally binding documents prohibit you from sharing any work-related details about the family, home, or children. Even if you don’t mention names, small clues in a post can reveal sensitive information.

Real-life scenario: A nanny posted a photo of a child’s playroom on Instagram, thinking it was harmless. Unfortunately, sharp-eyed followers recognized a distinctive painting in the background, linking it to a celebrity’s home. Within hours, the family’s private residence was exposed, leading to the nanny’s immediate dismissal and legal repercussions.

Rule of Thumb: If you have an NDA, consider ANY information about your job as being off-limits, even if you think you are sharing it anonymously.

For more insights on navigating employer expectations, check out 9 Things We Wish Employers Knew About Nannies.

2. Compromising Child Safety

Parents, especially those with public profiles or high-security concerns, do not want any information about their children shared online. Posting about the children in your care can put them at risk.

Real-life scenario: A nanny uploaded a cute video of the child in her care playing in the park, with a geotagged location. What she didn’t realize was that this post revealed the family’s daily routine, making it easier for strangers to track them down.

Safety Tips:

• Never tag locations when posting about your job.
• Avoid mentioning anything about your job details, such as “picking up children at 3 PM!”
• Blur or crop out faces if you don’t have permission to share a picture or childcare-related activity.

For more guidance on keeping children safe, read: Safety Tips Every Nanny Should Follow in the Pool

3. Damaging Your Professional Reputation

Your digital footprint follows you, and a single bad post can haunt you for years, even after you delete it. Employers and agencies regularly check social media accounts before hiring nannies, so your online behaviour matters.

Real-life scenario: A nanny vented in a private Facebook group about her employer’s unreasonable requests. Someone sent a screenshot of her rant to the family, resulting in her immediately losing her job.

What to Avoid Posting:

• Complaints about employers, workload, or work-related stress.
• Rants about how difficult children can be (it will make you seem unprofessional).
• About your personal life that could be viewed as irresponsible, like partying or reckless behaviour.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER POST AS A NANNY

To protect your job, reputation, and employer’s privacy, avoid posting the following:

Photos or videos of the children, even with faces blurred, as this can violate privacy policies and expose families to unwanted attention.

Details about your employer’s home or lifestyle; no addresses, no household setups, and no “insider information” about their habits.

Complaints about work or personal issues because even anonymous posts can come back to haunt you.

Any content that makes you look unprofessional, like partying, reckless behaviour, or anything that could make you seem irresponsible in a childcare role.

For advice on creating a strong, professional nanny profile using photos, read The Best Way to Enhance Your Job Application Using Photos.

What You CAN Post as a Nanny

General childcare tips about activities, book recommendations, or educational insights (without mentioning specific children).

Professional achievements like certifications, training courses, or nanny-related milestones.

Networking and community engagement in nanny groups or forums (without disclosing confidential details).

Positive industry content like encouraging posts about the joys of being a nanny (without revealing anything personal about your job).

For creative activity ideas, check out 10 Kids’ Outdoor Activity Ideas.

Best Practices for Nannies on Social Media

To maintain a professional image while still enjoying social media, follow these golden rules:

Keep personal and professional accounts separate

Consider having a professional nanny Instagram or LinkedIn profile for career-related content and keeping personal posts private.

Set your accounts to "Private.". While doing this doesn’t guarantee complete privacy, it helps limit visibility and reduce unwanted scrutiny.

Discuss and follow your employer’s social media policies. Some families have strict guidelines about what can and cannot be shared, so be clear about any expectations before posting anything work-related.

Always think and ask yourself before you post:
Would I be comfortable if my employer saw this?
Does this violate privacy or confidentiality?
Could this be misinterpreted?

Final Thoughts

As a nanny, your online presence matters. While social media is a great tool for networking, learning, and showcasing your career, it also comes with risks that could jeopardize your job, leaving you unemployed.

By following best practices, keeping personal details private, and maintaining a professional image, you can enjoy social media without compromising your career.

If you’re looking to advance your nanny career, check out Jobs in Childcare for the latest private childcare opportunities!