Safeguarding > Photographing Children

Photographing Children

Parents, carers and indeed clubs often want to be able to celebrate and promote the achievements of their children through taking photographs or films whilst they are taking part in the sport.

However it is vitally important to follow the correct steps to safeguard and ensure a safe environment for children and young people when it comes to photography and videography.

Appropriate and proportionate safeguards must be in place to ensure a safe environment for children and young people when it comes to photography and videography.

Basketball NI follows, and recommends that clubs also follow, guidance from the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit.

Clubs and organisations should have a written photography policy statement that sets out your overall approach to images taken of children and young people during events and activities.

This policy statement should be used alongside a more detailed set of procedures that explain how your organisation uses images of children and young people in publications, on websites and on social networking sites, and what actions you take to keep children safe.

You should make sure children, parents, staff and volunteers understand the policy statement and know how photographs and films taken during your organisation’s events and activities can be shared more safely.

 

“This Organisation is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. Every individual in the organisation should, at all times, show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the organisation and the requirements contained in the Safeguarding Children in Sport Standards.”

Members Statement

Guidance for photographing and filming

It’s important that children and young people feel happy with their achievements and have photographs and films of their special moments. Family and friends also want to be able to share the successes of their children when they have been part of a special event or activity.

However, some children, parents or carers may not be comfortable with images of themselves or their children being shared. For example:

  • if a child and/or their family have experienced abuse they may worry about the perpetrator tracing them online
  • children who choose not to have contact with some members of their family may decide to minimise their online presence
  • families may have religious or cultural reasons for choosing not to be photographed.

It’s important to be aware of child protection and safeguarding issues when taking photos of or filming children and young people. The potential for misuse of images can be reduced if organisations are aware of the potential dangers and put appropriate measures in place.

You should also consider the data protection implications of making, using and storing images of children and young people for your organisation’s use.

BNI Social Media Policy