Photography Rules in Dubai Schools Have Become Stricter!

Parents in Dubai have been reminded to exercise more caution before taking photos or videos on school premises; as private schools have tightened their rules and guidelines regarding filming and sharing images that may include other students.
A circular recently issued by one of the schools in Dubai to parents has requested families and visitors to refrain from taking photos or videos in situations where students or school staff may be captured in images without proper consent.

This guideline does not only apply to classrooms but also includes hallways, playgrounds, school events, and drop-off and pick-up areas for students.
Parents have also been asked not to share photos or videos that include other students on social media, WhatsApp groups, or other digital platforms without obtaining consent.
This action reflects a broader emphasis on protecting children's privacy and ensuring their safety in increasingly digital educational environments.

The current protocols of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai also recognize photography as one of the privacy-related issues and state that photographing students in vulnerable conditions constitutes a violation of their privacy.
This means that even a family photo that appears completely harmless can become problematic if another child is clearly identifiable in the background and the photo is later published or circulated outside the family.

This concern grows when photos are taken from parents' mobile phones and enter WhatsApp groups, social media, or other digital spaces; environments where controlling subsequent sharing can be challenging.

Source: Gulf Times