that allowing your 12 year old to get a tattoo is wrong and irresponsible.

[almosthuman]

I regularly check my DD12 social media accounts and found that one of her school friends has a tattoo on the back of their neck. It is a real tattoo and her parents were the ones that arranged for her to have this done and were very pleased with it.

I do not believe that a 12 year old has the maturity needed to understand that a tattoo is a life time commitment and not something that can easily be removed. I think that her parents are irresponsible for allowing this to happen.

I have a tattoo's so am not against them, however, I was in my early thirties when I finally decided through several years of debate and research that I would like one.

This child is now in isolation at school as she has her tattoo on display which the school is unhappy about although not against any of their policies as children don't generally get tattoo's.

I do not have an issue with children expressing themselves with haircuts, make up, clothing etc, but I do have an issue with tattoo's at such a young age.

ThereIsACarInTheKitchen I really hope that it is a fake but I don't believe that it is. I have found a similar one on google which I will try to post

Not only is it illegal, but it's also very worrying.

If they are going to places that aren't reputable enough to actually refuse to tattoo a child, then they probably aren't reputable enough to be using clean, sterilised needles.

This is a similar tattoo

If they are going to places that aren't reputable enough to actually refuse to tattoo a child, then they probably aren't reputable enough to be using clean, sterilised needles.

Totally agree. That was always my argument when my young people wanted tattoos under age

I've got loads of tattoos myself, and no way would I touch any of these tattooists with a barge pole. Unfortunately, most of them seem to be done by 'friends' with tattoo guns and no talent for it

Slight aside, but why would someone need a tattoo for medical reasons?

Stinkle I have a few friends and family members that have their own tattooing kits and have seen some of the tragic results. I researched where to have my tattoo's done and would never consider having a tattoo done by a non registered and insured tattooist.

meant uninsured

I had my first tattoo when I was 16 I wasn't ID'd and still look about 12 years old 8 years on.
I regret it, I wasn't old enough to be making decisions like that - though funnily enough I have no problem with the actual tattoo.

The age 18 restriction is there for a reason+

The fine for tattooing a minor (if it can be proved that the tattoist didn't believe they were 18) is "no more than £50".

I think as tattoos are so expensive the £50 fine would not be a deterrant.

legislation

Willferrellisactuallykindahot

Slight aside, but why would someone need a tattoo for medical reasons?

Blood group ? Allergies ?

I knew the fine wasn't loads, but I thought that you'd lose your licence as well

The threat of loss of licence is more of a deterrent that the fine, iykwim

People with life-threatening conditions can have a tattoo as a medi-alert.

BuzzardBird I never realised that the fine would be no more that £50 that is ridiculous.

I've taught under -16s who had tattoos, often with their parents' approval. I think it's awful but it definitely happens (and yes, they were real, and yes, I saw them with my own eyes, and no, they were not small, meaningful things but massive full-arm ones in one case!)

Tattoos are administered in some cancer patients as 'markers'

I don't believe their licenses are revoked as the legislation states what happens if they do it again. (£100 fine)

My DH has some tattoos from similar age. There was a man in neighbourhood who came back from prison and showed all the kids in the street how to do tattoos themselves. Its awful and not even professional tattooists can't undo the damage he's done to himself.

Some medical reasons for tattooing here It is not for putting a design on the skin.

almosthuman has your daughter expressed a bit of jealousy about this, and said she'd like a tattoo? The problem with these girls is they all copy each other and it sets a trend. They all tend to admire a maverick in my experience!

I agree with other posts;

It's illegal (and rightly so)
It's dangerous hygiene-wise if done by a non-authorised tattooist.
It's permanent and therefore not something a young person can make a decision about.
The school should be reporting it.

Hatespiders thankfully my dd has no current interest with having one herself, dd absolutely hates needles. I do think that some other children may want one though.

It's illegal but I'd bet on it being a fake. If it's not then the school should have reported it.

I believe you.

There is someone in my life who has tattoo equipment and has tattooed their teenage daughter. Their other now wants one but they are saying they are too young and have to wait until they are old enough

But they consider 14 old enough.

This girl also has several ear piercings and her belly button done.

My judgy pants completely envelop me and I have made no secret of it to the parent.

I've got three small tattooed dots which were to show the radiotherapists where to administer the treatment when I had breast cancer. That's a medical reason.
Tattooing a 12 year old is just awful.

Won't it look a bit strange as she grows?

That's huge. You said the back of her neck, not all of her back?!

Anyway, that aside...I suppose I shouldn't be shocked, there are some disgraceful 'parents' out there doing worse than getting their children tattooed, but FFS.