Parents and picture-taking: a reminder about
filming, photography and student privacy With all the exciting school
activities that occur throughout the year, we provide this consideration
regarding the filming and sharing of student photographs and videotapes of
student events. Parents are welcome to photograph and videotape school events.
However, the potential promotion, exchange or sharing of student images raises
privacy issues that are important to be aware of. A parent wishing to film or
photograph students and then post these images to a website (i.e. YouTube)
needs to have collected signed permission for the students (provided by parents
or guardians in the case of minors) in the video before posting their photos.
To do so without signed permission is a violation of student privacy. While any
liability would lie with the photographer/videographer in a situation like
this, we feel it’s important to remind all parents to respect the privacy of
other students and their families. While it’s understandable that many families
would appreciate being able to exchange photographs or videotapes of school
events, privacy concerns must take precedence. Thank you for your understanding.