regarding school's photo/social media policy?

[Songofsixpence]

DD's primary school had a policy of no sharing photos that have other children in, taken at school events to be posted on FB.

That's fine, never have and never would.

However, a few weeks ago I posted a pic of my own DD on FB and I had my knuckles rapped. The pic was taken on a public beach, on the way home from school of DD in her school uniform.

One of my friends is a TA so I'm assuming she's reported it to the head teacher as I was contacted and asked to take the picture down as it broke school's Facebook policy. I asked for it to be clarified as the pic wasn't on school property, had no other children in it other than my own DD and was told that DD was wearing her school uniform so it was considered as being taken on school property.

I removed the picture as I really wasn't that bothered. It was all a bit something and nothing really and I wasn't going to make a fuss about a picture on FB.

I've checked and double checked my privacy settings which were all fine, which is why I'm assuming it came about due to TA friend.

Anyway, I was just looking at the school's FB page (not a closed group or anything, just a totally open page that you can like and anyone can view) and there are loads of pics of my daughter from where she took part in a school event last week.

Now, I don't mind them posting pics of my daughter, but AIBU to think its a bit rich of them to dictate to me that I can't post a pic of my own daughter on my own private FB page when they're posting pics of her on their totally open, public page.

Obviously they're only posting pictures of children where parents have signed to say it's OK. There are children at the school who, for various reasons, can't be photographed. I know this and I totally understand it and I never would, and never have, post pictures of other children, but a picture of my own child?

[gobbin]

It is a bit rich. I'd take them to task over it.

[TinyManticore]

DD's school has the same rule about not posting pictures taken at school plays etc on Facebook, but it's none of their business whether you post pictures of your own child in her uniform. It's not a safeguarding issue if no other kids are in it and it's not on school grounds. I'd unfriend the busybody jobsworth and post what I wanted to.

[4EverScottish]

I'd be sending in a letter of complaint, they are being unreasonable. I don't allow picture of my children on FB until they are old enough to make their own decision but if you want to post pictures of yours then the school shouldn't tell you to take them off if they post public ones.

Another parent at my DC's school has just posted some pictures which include my DC on her FB page which is not private and I am trying to get the school to tell her to take them down but they say it is between me and the other parent

[Songofsixpence]

Yes, I have unfriended her now. I am only assuming it's her as I can't see any other way school knew about the pic.

I'm quite antisocial with FB and only really use it as it's a convenient way to share pics and news with my family.

I don't have any school parents or anyone else with a link to the school on my friends list, so I can't see that it would be anyone else. My privacy settings are all fine.

I'm not overly fussed, it's just FB after all, but I do think it's a bit of a cheek

[LilyMayViolet]

I think they are being ridiculous. I'd complain.

[Flisspaps]

It is none of the school's business.

My understanding is that under the Data Protection Act there's in fact nothing they can legally do about anyone posting pictures of the students when they are ON school grounds, or in uniform, or in fact anywhere doing anything - there was a thread a few weeks ago where the school themselves had used a pic of a child for advertising without consent.

What does the head do on the first day of term when proud parents are posting pics of the kids in their shiny new uniforms in their own homes?

[Songofsixpence]

Thanks!

I think I'll write and ask for further clarification. Someone maybe have the wrong end of the stick.

I don't see how they can police people's private FB pages to that extent.

[Songofsixpence]

What does the head do on the first day of term when proud parents are posting pics of the kids in their shiny new uniforms in their own homes?

Well, exactly!

We have a photographer from the local paper taking pics of the new reception children. Obviously only when parents have signed to say it's OK but surely their safeguarding argument doesn't stack up when it's a pic of my own child

[DeeWe]

Was this a couple of weeks ago?
Because I had a message from someone I know but who isn't a fb friend saying she could see all my photos. I looked, checked my settings (which were friend only) and did the same for her... I could also see all her photos. Got a couple of friends to check... And found they had similar. Contacted fb, and didn't hear anything, but 24 hours later we couldn't see each others pictures. I assume it was some glitch in fb.

But if that's also happened to yours then it isn't necessarily your TA friend.

[TeenAndTween]

Were there definitely no other children in the photo, or just none other from your school?

If your DD was absolutely the only child, then seems very strange to me, I can't think of any good reason for it.

[DisappointedOne]

Am having a similar dialogue with DD's school. They have the same "no pics of other children on social media" policy and couldn't see the issue when they posted photos of children bearing their names on a wide open Twitter feed.

They're now taking issue with parents taking those public photos and posting them on FB. head meet wall

[Songofsixpence]

It was the middle of May. We had some nice weather and the ice cream kiosk was open so we stopped off on the way home from school. DD had this ice cream about the size of her head with all sorts of sauces and sprinkles all over it so I took a pic of her with it.

Definitely only her in it, and it was obviously not on school grounds, you could see the sea behind her.

The problem was that she was in her school uniform

I will have words tomorrow though.

Thanks!

[muminhants1]

Nothing to do with the school. Put it back on FB and email them to say that it is nothing to do with them, does not breach the DPA (you are "processing" for personal use) and is not a safeguarding issue.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, as they say. People have 5 minutes training on data protection and think that they are experts. The DPA is a very complex piece of legislation, but nothing in it prevents parents from taking and sharing photographs of their own children.

[BeyondTheWall]

I guess (and this is a guess) that they are thinking of it in the same way as an employee who is not allowed to be seen smoking in their uniform - bringing disrepute upon the business.

So they think that your dd is bringing disrepute on the schools good name by umm...eating an ice cream? Perhaps its outside of healthy eating guidelines for the school or something?

Thats not to say i think they are right, btw!!

[YeOldTrout]

I wouldn't bother writing to ask them clarify anything. A simple 'No' is the maximum reply they need to their request for you to take it down.

[Icantbelieveitsnotbutter]

If I was you I wouldn't take it down. How dare they dictate to you what you and your dc do in your private time.

I had to remove people from my fb too because they were constantly snitching on other parents about things they put on fb.

[clam]

By 'school uniform,' I presume you mean a checked gingham summer dress in a particular colour? A colour which is worn by loads of other primary schools locally?

This is ridiculous and I'd love to hear the school's justification for it.

[Clutterbugsmum]

I'd be asking the head and the school to reimburse for the cost of uniform and washing/drying and ironing charges as if the uniform 'belongs' to the school then they can bare the cost of it.

Normal practice is that it is ok to post pictures on facebook as long as it is only your child.

[lem73]

I would ask to see a copy of the policy.

[Donthate]

How bizarre. What did the school say today? I would be tempted to write to the Head.

[Clutterbugsmum]

Yes of course, sorry Egoumquisum that as well.

[CrystalHaze]

was told that DD was wearing her school uniform so it was considered as being taken on school property.

That's a ludicrous assertion. Laughable, in fact. If their issue was with a picture of a pupil doing something questionable whilst wearing school uniform they might have a point in terms of bringing the school into disrepute, but how can wearing a uniform on a beach outside of school hours = being on school property?

Sounds like some self-important dimwit has had 10 minutes of safeguarding training and is off on a ridiculous power trip. Push them further on this ~ don't let stupidity win!