Parents and picture-taking: a reminder about filming, photography and student privacy.
With all the exciting school activities that occur throughout the year, we provide this consideration regarding the filming and sharing of student photographs and videos of student events.
Parents are welcome to photograph and video record school events. However, the potential promotion, exchange, sale or sharing of student images raises privacy issues that are important to be aware of.
A parent or staff member wishing to film or photograph students and then post these images to the internet (e.g. YouTube, etc.) or share the images through any type of digital media (e.g., DVDs, CDs, cellphones, etc.) needs to have collected signed permission for the students (provided by parents or guardians in the case of minors) in the video before posting their photos. To do so without signed permission is a violation of student privacy. Apart from traditional media (e.g., North Shore News, etc.) the School District's image release forms do not cover photography or filming by third parties (e.g., parents, professional or amateur videographers, and photographers, etc.), who must obtain and record informed parental consent through their own form and process.
While liability would lie with the photographer/videographer in a situation like this, we feel it's important to remind all parents to respect the privacy of other students and their families. It's understandable that many families would appreciate being able to exchange photographs or videotapes of school events, however, privacy concerns must take precedence.
Thank you for your understanding.
Prepared by: Victoria Miles
Communications Manager
North Vancouver School District
February 26, 2013
