Parents and young people generally welcome opportunities to celebrate or publicise their involvement and achievements when taking part in sport by photographing children at events.

Sports organisations may also want to promote their activities to encourage participation. But it is important that sports have considered to potential risks and how to mitigate these risks.

Sport NI or the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) do not advocate the banning of photography or the use of images and videos of children. But it is essential organisations are taking all necessary steps to protect children and young people from the inappropriate use of their images in resources and media publications, on the internet and elsewhere. You can see further guidance from the CPSU under

Using images of young people for publication, promotion, or coaching

Considering the risks

The use of photos and videos on websites and social media, and the press or other publications, can pose direct and indirect risks to children and young people if not managed correctly. Some individuals within sport have been convicted of using their positions of trust to take photos of children for their own sexual gratification. Information or images placed on the internet has also been used by estranged parents (e.g., in adoption or domestic violence circumstances) to identify, trace, and cause significant difficulties for children.

 Easy rules to remember

  • always get permission from young people and parents.
  • think carefully before using any images showing children and young people on your website, social media, or other publications.
  • choose images that present the activity in a positive light, and promote the best aspects of the sport and organisation.
  • do not supply full names of children along with the images, unless:

o   it is considered necessary – such as for elite young athletes

o   it is in the child’s best interests.

o   the child and parent have consented.

  • only use images of children in suitable dress or kit, including recommended safety wear such as shin pads or gum shields.
  • some activities can present a higher risk for potential misuse than others, so images of these activities should:

o   focus on the activity rather than a particular child.

o   swimsuit activities/gymnastics avoid showing the full face and body of a child – instead, show children in the water, or from the waist or shoulders up.

o   avoid images and camera angles that may be more prone to misinterpretation or misuse than others.

  • consider using models or illustrations if you are promoting an activity, rather than the children who are involved in it
  • provide coaches who use images of athletes as part of their training with clear guidelines by which they are required to comply.

Responding to a parent or young person withholding consent.

Where there are specific issues or concerns about identifying a child, the club need to be sensitive in their response. The parent/guardian should raise their concern directly with the club safeguarding officer in the first instance and the parent should suggest to the club how they feel the removing of their child without drawing attention to the situation could be handled sensitively. The club can discuss with the parent how images can be taken including their child, so they do not feel isolated but only shared with that one parent. The parent may need assistance on how to talk to their child about why they need to step out of certain club images. The CPSU can be contacted by both the club and the parent/guardian for help and advice. Email: cpsu@nspcc.org.uk

General images of events

At many events, organisers will wish to take wide-angle, more general images of the event, the site, opening and closing ceremonies, and so on. It’s usually not reasonable, practical, or proportionate to secure consent for every participating child in order to take such images, or to preclude such photography on the basis of the concerns of a small number of parents. In these circumstances, organisers should make clear to all participants and parents that these kinds of images will be taken, and for what purposes.