Mon Feb 10

Schools need parent permission to put students’ photos on social media. 3 questions to ask before you say yes

Written by Karley Beckman, Senior Lecturer in Digital Technologies for Learning, University of Wollongong

If you are a parent of a school student, you may have received a form seeking permission to use your child’s image on school social media accounts.

It’s very common for schools to share photos of smiling students on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. This may be to celebrate the start of term, student achievements, or performances and events at the school.

Schools need permission from parents to publish or disclose students’ personal information, including photos and videos, on any online platform.

But research suggests ^[1] families can lack support and information to provide fully informed consent.

Why do schools post photos online?

Our recent study ^[3] showed one of main reasons schools post on social media is they believe it is what parents want. This is part of marketing their school as a positive place to learn.

But some parents take a more cautious approach ^[4] to social media and don’t necessarily want photos of their children made public online.

There is significant community concern about children’s online privacy and their digital footprint ^[5] or the information trail about them.

Last month, the Australian Federal Police warned parents ^[6] about sharing images of their children online, especially back-to-school photos. It recommended parents blur or obscure the logo of the child’s school. Police also noted how background features can identify a school or child’s location.

The AFP has seen non-explicit pictures of children and young people become the target of highly sexualised and inappropriate comments or role play.

The risks also go beyond other people identifying your child online. Photos of children shared online can be used to train AI models ^[7] or create deepfakes ^[8] that are increasingly being used in cases of cyber bullying and cyber abuse.

A row of students singing together, holding sheets of paper.

School social media accounts are a way of marketing to families and the community. SpeedKingz/Shutterstock ^[9]

What are the rules in Australia?

The Australian Privacy Act ^[10] and related Australian Privacy Principles ^[11], say consent to share personal information should be current, clearly explained and specific.

This is why schools need to ask parents at the start of each year, but how they do this will depend on the state education department or individual school.

Here are three questions to consider before you sign.

1. What is the school asking you for?

While approaches vary, it is common for schools to ask for several types of permission in one bundle.

For example, they may ask if they can use photos and videos of your child in the school newsletter, school website, annual report, online learning platforms, traditional news media as well as social media.

So the locations where your child’s information and photo may be shared are quite different in terms of privacy and your child’s digital footprint.

For example, this could involve a photo of your child doing a class activity shared on a secure education app, or a video of your child on a public Facebook page.

Parents have the right to consent and/or decline the use of their children’s information for specific purposes. If you can’t do this on the form, you can contact the school.

2. What does the school post?

Before providing or declining consent, you may want to take a closer look at the kinds of posts the school shares. This includes:

the quantity of information shared (number of photos or videos shared, and how often)
strategies used to protect children’s privacy (no names or locations, or photos in which children are not clearly identifiable or faces are obscured)
the purpose of the posts (can you see the value and benefit of sharing information?).

Think about whether the school’s approach fits with your family’s approach to social media and what you share.

A teacher olds a tablet device while looking at students working with microscopes.

Looking at the kinds of content a school posts online can help you decide if you want your child featured. Sol Stock/Getty Images

3. How does your child feel?

Research shows children as young as eight ^[12] are developing an understanding of the risks of sharing personal information online.

Understanding how your child feels about their school’s social media is important in making an informed decision about consent. It also helps teach them about making decisions about their digital footprint.

You could ask your child:

are they aware of the school social media sites?
how does having their photo taken, or not, at school make them feel?
are they asked when their photo is taken, and are they told where it will be used or shared?

These forms can seem routine or presented as if it’s not a big deal. But if you have any questions or concerns you should talk to your school. Schools can help you with more information and can also forward feedback to education departments. This is particularly important as we navigate the changing nature of social media and the potential impacts on children.