Schools have a part to play too. Their websites, newsletters and social media pages celebrate students’ achievements with the best intentions. They also raise questions that parents are entitled to ask: • Where are photographs stored, and for how long? • Who can access them? • Do third-party companies process or store the images? • What will the image be used for? • What happens when a child leaves the school? Schools take physical safety seriously through visitor procedures, secure sites and recruitment background checks. Children’s data deserves the same care and attention. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has made children’s privacy a priority. Parents should expect schools and organisations to be clear about how children’s information is collected, stored and shared. We all like to record family moments and celebrate our children’s achievements. We’ve also got enough to manage with packed lunches, World Book Day costumes, and locating a full, clean sports kit. This is not about making parents feel guilty for sharing a photograph. Before sharing a photo, take ten seconds to decide whether it needs to be shared at all and ask yourself: • Does this image reveal where my child is, what they do regularly, or where they are likely to be at a particular time? • Am I sharing this because my child will value the memory later on, or because I want the moment witnessed? • Could I perhaps share the story without showing their face? When children are old enough, involve them in the decision. Consent does not suddenly appear at the age of eighteen. And it’s not just about agreeing which school prom photo you can post. It’s about creating awareness of the risk and consequences through everyday conversations, starting with “Are you happy for me to send this to Grandma?” “Would you mind if I put this on the family group chat?” “What would you prefer?”. This demonstrates that their image belongs to
“Artificial Intelligence has made it quicker and easier to collect, analyse and use information that has already been gathered. ”
them too. The message is not “never share a photograph of your child”. It is to treat that image with the same care you would give any other personal information. We teach our children to protect passwords, PINs or personal details. Now we need to include their image in that conversation too.
If you’re interested in learning more, here are some useful links: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/ the-children-s-code-and-children-s-online- privacy/ https://www.iwf.org.uk/annual-data- insights-report-2025/emerging-and- persistent-harms/ai-generated-child-sexual- abuse-material/
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