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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this a safeguarding concern? WWYD?

41 replies

eliohelio · 01/07/2021 19:54

Need some perspective please!

A girl I went to school with is now a primary school teacher (Y1). She has posted a picture to her Instagram story today of a display board on an easel she’s made for one of her lessons, but in the background of the picture is a wall display that has all the children’s class pictures all over it. The image is really clear, as in if I knew any of the children I would very easily be able to identify them. She also regularly posts which school she works in, so not difficult to identify.

Is this a safeguarding issue? If it were my children I certainly wouldn’t want them to be posted on someone else’s social media when I don’t know who that person has following them. Lots of parents choose not to share their children on social media nowadays but particularly not the school they go to.

Not sure if I’m overreacting but it doesn’t sit right with me - would you report this to the school?

OP posts:
Notashandyta · 01/07/2021 19:57

Would it not be kinder to message her directly rather than talk to her school?

PotteringAlong · 01/07/2021 20:01

Yes, it is. You need to tell her to take it down.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 01/07/2021 20:02

Yes. Lots of "looked after children" can't have their photos posted on social media, because it could lead to them being traced. If the school is identifiable that's really scary.

cariadlet · 01/07/2021 20:03

Really poor practice. She can't be following the school safeguarding or internet usage policies. I agree with messaging her first but I would contact the school if she doesn't take down any identifiable pictures of children or if she does it again.

TheAlleyAlleyOh · 01/07/2021 20:04

Tell her first. If it's not removed screenshot it and tell the school. But be prepared to loose a friend. It is an issue.

GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 01/07/2021 20:04

I would think this was ill advised and yes it is a safeguarding issue. Agreed that it could be serious in some cases but let’s face it: probably not. Is it worth getting her in the shit with her HT? Ca you Drop her a message?

Poppitt58 · 01/07/2021 20:08

It depends if she has permission to share photos on external websites including social media. It’s quite standard to ask on consent forms.

scrambledcustard · 01/07/2021 20:10

You obviously dont like her and looking to get her in to trouble. How about not being spiteful and messaging her directly.

MichelleScarn · 01/07/2021 20:10

So rather than say to her to help her/check, first thought is mumsnet and report?

cariadlet · 01/07/2021 20:10

@Poppitt58

It depends if she has permission to share photos on external websites including social media. It’s quite standard to ask on consent forms.

Consent forms ask for consent for children's photographs to be shared on the school website or Learning Platform; not to be shared on a teacher's personal social media.

Wigglegiggle0520 · 01/07/2021 20:12

Is her Instagram set to private so only contacts can see her posts?
For me this is absolute basic safeguarding and really needs to be flagged to the school. I would screenahot it and report.

Original poster
eliohelio · 01/07/2021 20:17

I’m not looking to get her into trouble at all. It’s not about me or her, it’s a concern for the children in her care really.

And I don’t think this is spiteful at all! I’ve no reason to be spiteful towards her, if I did I would just have reported it without looking for other opinions first. Came to MN to get a balanced view from other parents as to whether this is a concern…

OP posts:
MadeOfStarStuff · 01/07/2021 20:19

YANBU

It’s extremely basic safeguarding and I would be concerned that a teacher was so ignorant of it. I would report it to the school.

cardibach · 01/07/2021 20:21

@eliohelio

I’m not looking to get her into trouble at all. It’s not about me or her, it’s a concern for the children in her care really.

And I don’t think this is spiteful at all! I’ve no reason to be spiteful towards her, if I did I would just have reported it without looking for other opinions first. Came to MN to get a balanced view from other parents as to whether this is a concern…

Why would your first thought be to report? Mine would be to contact her and ask if she was aware what was in the background and suggest taking it down.
CoRhona · 01/07/2021 20:22

She shouldn't have photos of students on her phone and certainly not putting that on her social media. Tell her before the consequences get worse for her.

TheCrowening · 01/07/2021 20:25

Yes she should know better. She shouldn’t even have the photo

RogueMnerHidesUnderABigHat · 01/07/2021 20:26

She's probably breaking school policy and could get into trouble.

Those pics definitely need to come down

zoeydollie · 01/07/2021 20:28

Just message her "hey did you realise there are photos of the children visible in the background?"

Zparks · 01/07/2021 20:29

YANBU. Message her directly and tell her politely but firmly that this is a safeguarding concern and that she needs to take it down ASAP. I wouldn’t go straight to reporting her though when it’s probably just an innocent (if completely stupid) mistake.

ExtraOnions · 01/07/2021 20:29

It’s been half an hour , have you messaged her yet ?

godmum56 · 01/07/2021 20:30

yanbu. I know a family who have adopted a looked after child and this is a complete no no

olidora63 · 01/07/2021 20:31

Message her and warn her the pics are in the background. She probably hasn’t realised . She can then take the pic down.

IncyWincy21 · 01/07/2021 20:33

I would contact her before anything, she more than likely hasn't realised.

0None0 · 01/07/2021 20:36

Yes it is a safeguarding concern and needs removing immediately. I would approach her first, now, and contact the school if it isn’t gone before school opens tomorrow morning

DreamingofTimbuktu · 01/07/2021 20:37

Why wouldn’t you just tell her? It’s not likely to be intentional. Are you friends? If so warn her, if not why are you following her Instagram?

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