Nativity Play/School Sports Photographs

[Wispy68]

Why is it that parents are not allowed to photograph their children in Nativity plays, but the local newspapers think nothing of publishing photographs of school football (and other sports) teams, which include the name of the school and the name of each child (some as young as six/seven years)? What's the difference? Surely it's more risky to publish names and details of young children for more 'undesirable' people to see, in a local newspaper.

[Octavius]

Well I think press photographs are a concern too. I have seen pictures of the girls under(whateverage)swimming teams in the local newspaper in their cossies, but only someone with 'that' sort of mind would see something in that. It's a bit of over-protection as parents don't mind their children being in the local rag (show it to granny and friends etc) but if someone (non-press) in the play's audience takes a photo then they must be a weirdo pervert. An article here:

http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/behind/analysis/031204phot.shtml

[funnywebsite]

It's crazy. If there are only parents in the audience then it should be fine, not full of peodophilles sitting round gawping. The children will be dressed up in costumes not sitting around half naked. This country has gone crazy.

[wooo12]

I understand the concern over this issue, but I live in front of a school and I think there might be a time when I can no longer look out of my window.

[nfn]

At my son's school parents have to sign a permission form at the beginning of each school year, it states that photographs can be taken of your child for school record books and public publication (newspapers, web site etc). My friends wasn't happy to have her boy photographed so didn't sign the form, he is NEVER in any of the pictures.

Parents can take photos and videos of all school activities, including the ones at our local church, as long as they sign a form before the start of the performance. Any parent who doesn't want their child photoed is given the chance to remove their child from that performance.

[bernardo]

I am not aware of any schools which do ban parents from photographing school plays. I think it's probably a tabloid myth.

[maggie01]

We have to have a parents permission to take any photos of their children while they are in our care but when they have their little Christmas play, all the parents bring their cameras or videos. The local press usually come in too. When the children are all dressed up, it is very hard to see who is who anyway.

[puzzled54]

We are not allowed to take photos at our local swimmimg pool yet they have cctv cameras which show the pool (and other areas of the sports centre) on a moniter behind the main desk, in clear view of anyone standing at the desk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!