That someone is using a made up law to stop me taking a photo of my child

[Spero]

My daughter is in her first ever drama festival. She is very proud and nervous. I want to take a photo of her. I am told I cannot due to the 'Child protection Act'. I am a family lawyer. I have never heard of this Act. Nor has Google.

So the objection is not that I may disrupt proceedings with annoying camera but that the mere act of taking an photo of my own child is somehow a child protection issue.

I am angry - not so much that I can't take a photo of my precious first born, but for what this reveals about the sloppy muddleheaded approach we seem to have about what 'child protection' really means.

AIBU to be so cross? Am contemplating stern letter of complaint. Making up legislation really isn't on.

take a pic of her after next to the props with no other children

There may be children in the production that need to be protected. Hiding from abusive father, kept out of the limelight for safety reasons.

No biggie really just take a photo afterwards when she's done and you can get just her

YABU, there'll be a reason for this. Probably children who cannot have their photos published due to safety reasons.

I am not allowed to take a picture anywhere in the building. She is on stage alone. All solo performances. I have absolutely no desire to have a photo of any other child, but even if I did, how on earth is this a 'child protection' issue?

And yes yabu

YANBU

Such wooly thinking is just bonkers. Life citing elf n safety in other scenarios.

I can think of a few situations where photographing children might cause a bit of re-thinking, but a "child protection act" ain't one of them.

Love it.

Can I say dh has to make me tea due to Hot Beverages Act or basically make up a law for whatever I want to happen.

This is another urban myth. People do not give a thought to the amount of footage which exists of them on a monthly basis. Filmed as they go about their public life in the high street, as well as public, and privately-owned, establishments. But they get hysterical about fully-clothed children being photographed by their cohorts in a completely appropriate way. I just don't get it.

What? If you did and other child is being protected and can't have their image anywhere for safety reasons then clearly it IS a child protection issue, they don't know what you're going to do with the image.

YANBU someone is being very bonkers.

Me neither. I'm fairly sure that the evil CCTV operators are filming my dcs for immoral reasons. Or maybe they are not....

YANBU. Ask them to give you a copy of said Child Protection Act and which part of it applies to you. Use lawyer speak!

Like PP have pointed out, there are circumstances where it would not be appropriate to take pictures. This is not one of them.

I want to take a picture of my child, as she stands alone on a stage.

How is this a child protection issue, and why is it acceptable to prevent me from taking photograph by making up a law?

Shall I declare a breach of the Dating George Clooney Act as he still hasn't called.

But even if your child has a solo spot, she's not the only one in the show. If cameras are allowed; everybody can take photos of whoever the hell they want, it's not as simple as just you taking one of your child.

Spero, I don't think people have been responding to what you wrote. YANBU: if there are important reasons why photos can't be taken, it's not beyond the organisers' abilities to articulate those reasons without invading people's privacy, and without making up fake law.

Its to do with people posting on facebook to be honest saying you cant take one of your child and Yours alone is stupid and unessesary to say you cant take one in the buiiding is overkill i once got jumped on for taking a pic of my daughter with her best friend with the moms permission apparently its still not allowed so we left the building to do it they innundated me with data protection leaflets for weeks

As a family lawyer, OP, I think you are in the ideal position to challenge them.

There may be a reason. I can't think of one offhand, but there may be. However, if there is, and they want people to take them seriously, they need to find a way of expressing it that doesn't involve blaming made up legislation.

Some people are missing the point. It's not about whether there is another child who is in need of protection, that would be a valid objection to taking group shots.
The problem OP has is someone making up laws that don't exist to stop her taking pictures, which is bloody annoying. And since her child is doing a solo, no other children can possible be affected by her taking a picture at that point.

Those of you shouting yabu, child protection are actually the problem OP is talking about. Put rules in place that fit the situation and are based on reality.Don't have blanket policies based on unhelpful nonsense.

They may be quoting an non existing act however they do have the right to refuse any photography in their building. They are perfectly entitled to do what they are doing even if they are giving the wrong reason.

This is ridiculous and in your situation I would take a picture regardless tbh.

My childs school is very sensible about this, parents can take photos or video most things as long as we are not being disruptive (bright flashes, blocking view etc) and that we just take pictures of our own children, if other children are in the picture they must not be shared in places such as social media, or outside of our own use.

We have vulnerable children that cannot be photographed and we know that (not who) so we are careful.

i can't believe you have only just heard of this

No one can be solely employed to watch you during the performance to make sure you only take photos of your own child, therefore a blanket ban on cameras and photography during the performance ensures they are complying with their own child protection policy and maybe protecting specific children, as pp have said. Every school will probably have a handful of children on a list never to be photographed for any number of reasons, most importantly their safety. Yes, it was a clumsy description if the reasons for no photography, but surely with your professional background you can understand why child protection is so important.

This kind of crap is unheard of where I live, and people merrily take pics in schools. Nobody cares, and it doesn't see, to have any detrimental affect on anyone.

YANBU at all and I would be fuming as well. The school should be more aware of any relevant legislation and how it affects their practices and should not be relying on made up rubbish, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Can you be bothered to take it up with them? You'll probably be fighting a losing battle as they are relying on paranoia and misinformation but if you feel up for it (and can control your blood pressure) write to the HT.

If you are a family lawyer you will know there are very good reasons as to why you can't take phtos of your child where other children may appear.