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The use of photos on websites and in other publications poses direct and indirect risks to children and young people. Organisations wishing to use images of the children they work or are otherwise in contact with must therefore have a policy in place to safeguard the children involved.
What are the risks?
How can the risks be minimised?
What to do when using photographers
Do I need parental permission?
How should I respond to concerns?
Useful links
Even if the child’s personal identity (full name, address) is kept confidential, any other details accompanying the photo, such as an organisation or club they belong to, or a band they like, can make them identifyable and therefore vulnerable to individuals looking to ‘groom’ children for abuse.
There is also a risk that the photo itself is used inappropriately by others. Photos can easily be copied and adapted, perhaps to create images of child abuse, which can then find their way on to other websites.
Establish the type of images that appropriately represent the organisation and the activity, and think carefully about any images showing children and young people on your website or in your publication.
Never supply the full name(s) of the child or children along with the image(s).
Only use images of children in suitable dress. There are many activities organisations can be involved in but clearly, activities such as swimming, gymnastics and athletics present a higher risk for potential misuse than others. Photos of these activities should:
Consider using models or illustrations if you are promoting an activity, rather than the children who are actually involved in it.
When using photographers:
You should ask for parental permission to use an image of a young person. Parents should be aware of and support your policy on using children’s images, and of the way these represent the organisation or activity. This can be recorded on a
Parental consent form for use of images of children (PDF, 27KB)
You should also ask for the child's permission to use their image. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image is to be used to represent the activity. A children's permission form is one way of recording their consent.
When using a photographer, inform parents and children that a photographer will be in attendance and ensure they consent to both the taking and publication of films or photos.
Children and parents should be informed that if they have any concerns regarding inappropriate or intrusive photography, these should be reported to the event organiser or official.
You must have an appropriate safeguarding policy in place to ensure that any reported concerns are dealt with in the same way as any other child protection issue, ensuring that your child protection or safeguarding officer is informed.
Photographs and images of children (PDF, 60KB)
Briefing paper from the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
Using photographs of children on websites
More help and advice from the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU).
Data protection good practice note: taking photographs in schools (version 4) (PDF)
Information Commissioners Office (ICO), 2010.
CEOP
The website of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
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Copyright © 2011 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.