Schools ban photos of kids

You know that moment at a school sports day when every parent whips out their phone? Half the photos end up with ten other people’s kids in the background, and nobody thinks twice about it. Until now.

Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have started telling parents to think twice before taking or sharing those photos. Several schools sent circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film students on campus, or share pictures of other people’s children through WhatsApp groups or social media, without proper consent.

Legal experts told Gulf News that parents who ignore this and get reported could face fines of up to Dh500,000 under UAE privacy laws, if a complaint is made and the conduct is found to break the rules.

Why schools are doing this

Nevita Pandya MBE, CEO and Principal of GEMS International School – Dubai Hills, says children should be able to join in school life without feeling their photo will be taken or shared without permission. She says a single photo can show more than people realise – a child’s school, their location, even their daily routine.

“Clear guidelines establish that children’s privacy and dignity come before an adult’s wish to record or share a moment,” Pandya said. She also wants schools to ask children themselves how they feel about being photographed, in a way that suits their age, and says no child should have to accept being photographed just to take part in a celebration.

Dr Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Principal of Al Khaleej International School, makes a similar point. She says a child’s image should be treated with the same care as any other personal information. “Once an image is shared, especially online, it can be difficult to control who has access to it or how it may be used in the future,” she said.

What’s the risk with a simple WhatsApp group?

This is the part a lot of parents don’t think about. A class WhatsApp group feels private, but Pandya points out that photos sent there can still be saved, forwarded or shared well beyond that group.

Her advice before sharing any school photo: think about whose children are in it, whether you actually have permission to show them, and whether the photo gives away personal details. As she puts it, permission to take a photo is not the same as permission to publish it.

Dr Abu-Shamat agrees, saying that once families know photos of their child won’t be shared without their knowledge, it gives them more control over their child’s digital footprint and more peace of mind.

Do parents agree with the rule?

Mostly yes, but with some pushback on how far it should go. Suad Saleh, a parent at GEMS International School, says she doesn’t see the harm in sharing a photo of her own child, with no other children in the background, as long as it’s appropriate and she’s careful about who she sends it to.

“It’s about using good judgment rather than saying that parents should never photograph or share pictures of their children,” Saleh said. She’d rather schools focus on educating parents about responsible sharing than simply banning photos outright.

Simon Jodrell, Principal of Jebel Ali School in Dubai, says most parents mean well but just don’t think about who else might be in the shot, or where it could end up later. Simple, clear guidance, he says, helps parents pause and respect other families’ wishes.

What this means for families in the Gulf

If your children attend school in Dubai or Sharjah, this directly affects you – no photographing or filming other students without consent, and no sharing images in WhatsApp groups or social media unless you have the right permission. Families who choose not to allow photos of their child still have the right to be fully included in school events and celebrations.

For readers in Kuwait, there’s no change to local rules here, but it’s a useful reminder. Kuwait has brought in its own <a href=