'This item is super cute but you should never buy it for your kids'

According to a criminologist and mum, doing this can put your kids in immediate danger. The video left many parents left shook, admitting they have “never thought of this.”

A video was shared on TikTok this week, explaining why parents shouldn't buy personalised backpacks or other items with their children's names on them.

The video was posted by Dannah Eve who is a criminologist and mum and it's quickly gone viral for its important safety message.

Dannah explained in the clip that items with a child's name on them can make it easier for predators to approach and groom children.

She said that predators can use a child's name to establish a false sense of familiarity and trust, which can then be exploited to gain access to them.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

The one item you should never buy your kids. Image: @dannah_eve

RELATED: The one thing I would never do as a safety expert

"Giving predators access to your kids' names is something you never want to do"

The video, which now has over 470k views was captioned: "PSA to all parents."

Speaking from inside her car, Dannah explained that while it may seem harmless and fun to personalise a child's belongings, it can also make them more vulnerable to predators.

She says that backpacks or clothing with kids' names on them are "super cute, but something you should never buy for your children."

According to the mum, these items can unfortunately, "put them in a very dangerous situation."

She said that this rule doesn't apply to babies as you're with them at all times, plus they won't be responding to their names yet anyway.

But for school-age kids, who walk to and from school by themselves or if they just go to a school in general, these items are a big no-no.

She explained, "Predators don't come off as these monstrous people, they come off as genuine good people and they are unbelievable at luring your children away with them. Now giving them access to their name is something that you never want to do."

"Let's face it, the second somebody says a child's name and they turn around, that person now automatically has an upper hand," she says. "They now have the ability to make that child think that they know them, or that they know their parents."

Parents have shared their alternatives to keep their kids safe. Image: @danna_eve

RELATED: I'm terrified for my kid at the supermarket but I have a hack

"I'm so cautious in public I call my child by a whole different name"

Many parents expressed gratitude for the warning as well as admitting that this hadn't occurred to them. 

"Never thought about this," said one person.

Then someone else revealed, "Three children, the oldest is nearly 11, why have I never thought of this?"

Another mum added, "Right that's me off to bin his mini backpack right NOW."

Then this person agreed with Dannah, emphasising that it is, "Absolutely imperative NOT to give all strangers access to your child's name."

And some said that they knew this tip and even added their own tips and tricks to keeping their kids safe in public. 

"I've always said this! So glad you're spreading this because it's so dangerous," one TikToker wrote.

And someone else said that they're "so cautious in public I call my child by a whole different name."

And a different woman said she does this too, writing, "My baby has two names, whenever someone that I don’t know or is not close to me asks for the name I give them the "safety name", the one that I don’t use."

Some parents also recommended just using your kid's initials or writing their name and contact info inside the bag or somewhere inconspicuous in case it gets lost.

Originally published as 'This item is super cute but you should never buy it for your kids'