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Original poster

School posted photo of DS..

57 replies

Spookymcspookerson2022 · 29/10/2022 10:23

On their facebook page. At the beginning of the school year we received a consent form. I ticked the box to say I DONT consent.

I'm so mad at them. They have let a few things slip already this year and now I have to go back and look like a moan-y parent again.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 10:41

I think this is important. You don't need to moan but you do need to

  • point out the error
  • ask that it is rectified immediately
  • check they have the correct consent for you
  • ask that they please review procedures to ensure this doesn't happen again
This is what we did when a photo of my DD taken at school ended up in the local paper & online.

I don't know why you have refused, and that doesn't matter (whatever some people may come on to say). But there are children for whom not having pictures online is important for their security, such as being adopted or feeling domestic abuse. The school should have robust procedures. Human error does happen, but procedures should be robust enough to give very high levels of confidence.

And let this also be a reminder to parents as to why some schools don't let them take photos at nativities. Because some parents then splash them all over facebook, and instagram etc.

mileaminnie · 29/10/2022 10:44

You can, and should, address this without being the moany parent. Just as PP has explained
They need to review their systems as it really isn't good enough.

Sparklingbrook · 29/10/2022 10:46

Just be very matter of fact, explain your disappointment that this happened, ask for it to be removed immediately and get their agreement there won't be a repeat. That's not moany.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 10:51

Of the bullet I missed out

  • ask they get back to you explaining how it happened
Only really so you know they have bothered to find out. Human error - Mrs S checked the photos and thought your DS was <child who looks like him>. Or procedural Mr T was uploaded in a rush and didn't get admin to OK the photo first - all staff have now been reminded how important this is.
Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

Allsnotwell · 29/10/2022 10:55

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

Why does that matter? My children also have no SM or video etc - my decision

JuneOsborne · 29/10/2022 10:55

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

Irrelevant!

She was asked if she consented, the answer was no. Now they've made a mistake that means they've gone against the consent.

Speak to the school as pps have suggested. And definitely double check that they know you don't consent.

TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 10:56

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

Irrelevant.

But some reasons are

  • adopted or in care
  • fleeing domestic abuse
  • stalker
  • parent just wants privacy, which is a permitted reason to opt out of photos

There are image searches these days. A photo of a child put up by a school, locates the child to that school between 9&3 every term time weekday. Not too hard to go on from that to find out where the child lives etc.

TwoRockSalmonAndAHaporthOfChips · 29/10/2022 10:56

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

There could be any reason or none, and it doesn’t matter. OP declined consent.

But sometimes there are massive safeguarding concerns, such the child’s location being kept from an abusive parent; a fostering or adoption; or various other matters affecting the safety of the child or one of their parents if their location is publicly available.

Sparklingbrook · 29/10/2022 10:57

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

It doesn't matter why. Consent is either granted or not and in this case it wasn't, otherwise what's the point in the forms?
My vet wanted to put a picture of my cat on their FB/Instagram and I had to sign a form to say that was ok even.

shreddednips · 29/10/2022 10:57

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

I don't think it matters what the objection is- schools should observe parents' consent on this regardless. There are lots of compelling reasons that a parent may not want photos shared- for example, if they have relocated to flee domestic abuse and don't want the school the child attends to be known. But actually, just because is perfectly fine too.

BeanieTeen · 29/10/2022 10:57

Whether you come across as moany depends on your approach surely? Just point out the error, most likely the school will be very apologetic and hopefully learn from their mistake. If they don’t take the photo down quickly or seem unbothered then feel free to actually moan…

cansu · 29/10/2022 10:59

It was a mistake. Point it out. They will apologise and remove it. End of. What else do you want to happen?

DrunkOnHim · 29/10/2022 10:59

You won’t look like a moany parent, they are incompetent. I’d be really annoyed too.

KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 11:00

Please do complain. My DD’s school gave her a food that she’s allergic to, and I’d written it on the form.

Sparklingbrook · 29/10/2022 11:01

cansu · 29/10/2022 10:59

It was a mistake. Point it out. They will apologise and remove it. End of. What else do you want to happen?

Reassurance it won’t happen again?

TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 11:04

OP. If your child has just started at the school, it is also worth your mentioning it personally to the class teacher and TA at the start of every academic year. That way if they know they are taking pictures for school newsletter/twitter/facebook they can ensure your DS isn't accidentally in them all.
Once my DDs were about 6 or 7 they knew to check what they were for and try to stay out of the way if needed.

TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 11:06

When it happened with DD is turned out the newspaper had failed to send the photo to the school for OKing prior to publication as was the standard.
iirc The school changed the process so press photos were checked before photographer left the site and any with no consent were deleted there and then.

MyFuckRationsAreDepleated · 29/10/2022 11:09

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

This is entirely irrelevant. I don’t allow school to post photos of my children either. My kids, my decision. I see is as part of me safeguarding them and not allowing photos of them onto public forums.

OP - what everyone else said. I’d be annoyed too!

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 11:10

shreddednips · 29/10/2022 10:57

I don't think it matters what the objection is- schools should observe parents' consent on this regardless. There are lots of compelling reasons that a parent may not want photos shared- for example, if they have relocated to flee domestic abuse and don't want the school the child attends to be known. But actually, just because is perfectly fine too.

Show quote history

If it's a case of domestic abuse then fine - the school shouldn't post photos. Realistically, surely this isn't the case for most children. I can't see the problem, other than it being yet another thing to add to the long list of things for parents to complain about.

Halstead · 29/10/2022 11:12

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 10:53

What is your objection to someone seeing your child's photo?

🙄

My DC’s school does not have consent to publish photos of my DC.

It’s absolutely none of your business why… and none of your business why the OP has withdrawn consent either.

TeenDivided · 29/10/2022 11:16

Veggieburgers · 29/10/2022 11:10

If it's a case of domestic abuse then fine - the school shouldn't post photos. Realistically, surely this isn't the case for most children. I can't see the problem, other than it being yet another thing to add to the long list of things for parents to complain about.

Show quote history

The point is that
a) schools ask for consent so it should be followed
b) even if the OP has no reason at all and just tossed a coin, a school should be able to follow procedures because there are some children for whom not appearing online is very important for their safety. If they fail for one child, they could fail for another.

monsteramunch · 29/10/2022 11:17

@Veggieburgers

I can't see the problem, other than it being yet another thing to add to the long list of things for parents to complain about.

You can't see the problem but do you respect that for other people it's a problem?

There's lots of things people have issues with that I don't have an issue with myself. I don't just dismiss them as annoying complainers...

cansu · 29/10/2022 11:19

No one would have deliberately done this. They will of course try to make sure it doesn't. Mistakes happen. If you don't feel they are apologetic enough why not write them a long email and insist they review their procedures? I have no doubt they will highlight your child's name on the list and send round a reminder to all staff saying that they must check the list more carefully. They will speak to the member of staff concerned. You could insist on a meeting with the Head as well. Or you could just make them aware and ask them to please make sure it is removed and check more carefully next time. I know which I would do.

FrippEnos · 29/10/2022 11:19

Stay with me on this.

We had some photos taken in class, the head and person in charge of the class were really happy with them.

A couple of days later, I had asked why they weren't up on fb, I was told that once the pictures had been taken they had checked the consent list to find that non of the children's parents had consented to have their child's pictures used so they weren't used.

This should be standard practice in all schools.

OP the school has messed up and they need to be told so. This isn't being "that parent" it is holding to account as they broke the rules.