ABOUT | INTERNET SAFETY
photos of children | disability | forums
When
you are producing your website be very careful about how
you portray yourself and other young people and children
on the website. Clearly children will derive much pleasure
from seeing pictures of themselves on the web and indeed
publishing pictures of children with their work or activity
can act as a tremendous motivator for children. However there
are a number of key issues raised about the use of children’s
photographs on the net which all of us involved in producing
websites with or for children need to take into account.
Some of this may sound pretty obvious, nevertheless it is
vital that all those involved in designing and maintaining
websites are vigilant and aware of the potential dangers
in exposing children on the web.
Issues include:
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The issue of what the picture is like:
What is appropriate and will discourage voyeurism. Pictures of children swimming
or doing gymnastics are clearly not appropriate. |
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The issue of how the child is described
in the caption:
There is an issue as to how the child is described on photographs appearing on
web sites especially if there is identifying information (i.e. full name, or
first name and class). Options are to have group photographs or photos with just
first names or nick names or captions such as "members of class 3A with
their display". |
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The issue of whether they are contactable:
Individual contact details for children, especially email addresses should never
be given out on a website and in no circumstances be displayed under a photograph
of the child. Care should also be given to the format of email addresses
as inappropriate personal information combined with name of school (the geographical
location of which can be obtained) can lead to external remote contact. |
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Permission to use photographs:
It is very important that whenever you use a photograph of a young person on
a website that you first obtain permission from that person AND from their
parents/carers. |
photos of
children | disability | forums |