Most people like to share images and videos of special moments with their loved ones. These images can capture fun events and create happy memories. However, it is vital that we all respect that others may not want their image shared; particularly with those they don’t know.
Whenever images and videos of children and young people are being taken, or when images and videos are being captured around children and young people, it’s important to think about child protection and safeguarding issues. The potential for inadvertent, unauthorised or misuse of images can be reduced if everyone follows some simple guidelines.
Top Tips:
- Parental consent should always be sought before taking or using a child’s image.
- Make sure parents and carers are aware of your school or organisation's photography policy.
- Ensure parents or carers have signed a consent form to authorise the use of their child's image.
- Keep a record of their consent and the specific permission including limitations (if any) regarding the use of such images.
Children and Consent
Top Tips:
Consent must be negotiated appropriately with regard to the age and understanding of those involved.
Children should always be consulted before taking or using their photograph. It is important that they are made aware that an image is being taken and that they understand what the picture is going to be used for.
The Information Commissioner’s Office states that when relying on consent as your lawful basis for processing personal data when offering an Information Society Service (ISS) directly to children, in the UK only children aged 13 or over are able to provide their own consent. Anyone giving consent in these circumstances may be required to verify their age.
Children under this age require consent from whoever holds responsibility for them and make reasonable effort to verify that the person giving consent holds parental responsibility.
Consenting pupils aged 13 and above must be offered a privacy notice presented in clear, age-appropriate language. Privacy notices should explain to children why their personal data has been asked for, and what will be done with it.