CONSENT
Ask both
Children should always be consulted and give consent. For under-16s, get parental consent too, recorded on a written form.
Check a situationStart
WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS
Think before
the photo.
A proud moment can still need a plan.
Children's coding and robotics groups make great pictures: a first robot that moves, a game that works. Child safety guidance asks groups to agree how photos are taken, stored and shared before anyone lifts a camera.
CONSENTwritten and recorded
Check a situationKeep in mind
- Ask the child and parent
- Group devices only
- Share the activity, not the child
- Celebrate safely
THE SHORT ANSWER
Policy, consent,
care online.
The NSPCC says schools, clubs and organisations
should have a written photography policy.
DEVICES
Not on personal phones
The NSPCC advises avoiding personal equipment: only use the organisation's devices, save images securely and lock devices away when not in use.
Habits to try
ONLINE
Images can be misused
The UK Safer Internet Centre warns criminals have altered school website photos using AI. Think hard before posting children's images publicly.
See the numbersGeneral information only, not professional safety advice. If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services.
CHECK A SITUATION
Where will the
photo go?
Pick the situation. The bar shows how much care the NSPCC and ICO guidance points to.
Based on NSPCC Learning, Photographing and filming children (updated July 2026), and ICO, Taking photos in schools. General information, not legal advice.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
A real worry
for families.
Two figures quoted by the UK Safer Internet Centre
in its May 2026 image-safety update.
60%
8 to 17-year-olds worried about AI misuse of images
Worried that AI may be used to create inappropriate or sexual content of themselves or their peers.
YOUNG PEOPLE · UK SIC
65%
Parents and carers worried about AI images of their child
Worried about someone using AI to create images of their child, according to research quoted by the UK Safer Internet Centre.
PARENTS · UK SIC
The UK Safer Internet Centre says these incidents do not yet appear widespread, but its early warning group has updated image security guidance for organisations working with children.
FOUR HABITS FOR A GROUP
Celebrate,
but safely.
These come from NSPCC guidance and suit a small volunteer-run group.
Step 1
Write a photo policy
Set out how photos and videos are taken, stored and shared, and share it with children, parents and volunteers.
Step 2
Never leave anyone out
Children should never be excluded because they have not consented. A sticker or badge can tell the photographer quietly.
Step 3
Choose the activity shot
Pick wide or side-on pictures of the robot or the screen, not close-up faces, and never add names.
Step 4
Review and tidy up
Check your website and social media regularly, and ask for new consent or delete images used for a new purpose.
IF CONSENT CHANGES
Hard to take
back.
The NSPCC says to explain to families how they can withdraw consent, and to be clear that once an image is online or in print it is very difficult to recall.
If someone else has posted an image of you or your child, the ICO suggests asking the account owner to remove it first and allowing one month for a response before complaining to the ICO.
Questions
Questions on the way
Can parents take photos at our group's showcase?
Data protection law does not cover purely personal use, the ICO says. Groups can still have their own policy on photos at events, shared with parents beforehand.
Do we need parental consent?
The NSPCC says to get parental consent for under-16s as well as the child's. For 16 and 17-year-olds, decide based on the activity and circumstances.
Is consent the right data protection basis?
Not always. The NSPCC notes consent is not always the best lawful basis for using photos, and points to ICO advice on choosing one.
What should we avoid in posted photos?
Names, personal details, location tags and identifying details such as uniforms. The NSPCC also suggests removing image metadata and lowering resolution.
What if a child does not want photos?
Respect it. The NSPCC lists reasons a family may not want images shared, such as a child being in care or adopted, or a family that has experienced abuse.
Destination