Parents and educators in the United Arab Emirates are expressing support for new privacy measures aimed at safeguarding children against unauthorized photography and image sharing on school premises. Recent directives issued by schools in Dubai and Sharjah instruct parents and visitors to refrain from taking photographs or videos of students without explicit consent, and to avoid sharing images that include children other than their own on digital platforms such as WhatsApp and social media.
Legal experts have highlighted that, under UAE privacy laws, individuals may face fines up to Dh500,000 if complaints are made and the act of photographing or filming children without proper approval is deemed an offense. The clarification comes amid growing concerns over children’s privacy and dignity, especially as images shared in closed groups can be easily forwarded and disseminated beyond the original recipients.
Nevita Pandya MBE, CEO and Principal of GEMS International School—Dubai Hills, emphasized the importance of clear guidelines to ensure children can participate freely in school activities without feeling pressured by the prospect of having their images captured or circulated. She noted that photographs can reveal sensitive information such as a child’s school, location, or daily routines, underscoring that permission to take a photo does not automatically include consent to publish it.
“It is essential. A familiar WhatsApp group can feel private, but images can still be saved, forwarded or shared beyond the intended audience,” Pandya said, advising parents to carefully consider who is visible in an image and whether appropriate consent covers its distribution.
Dr. Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Principal of Al Khaleej International School, also stressed that children’s images should be treated with the same caution as other personal data. She pointed out the difficulty of controlling access once an image is shared online and highlighted that families feel more secure knowing photos of their children are not circulated without their knowledge.
While advocating for privacy safeguards, some parents, such as Suad Saleh whose child attends GEMS International School, called for a balanced approach that fosters responsible sharing rather than imposing outright bans. Saleh suggested that sharing photos of one’s own child without other children present, provided the images are respectful and shared with a mindful audience, should be permissible. She urged guidelines to focus more on educating parents about responsible behaviour.
Simon Jodrell, Principal of Jebel Ali School in Dubai, agreed that clear, sensible guidelines could assist parents in understanding how to share photographs thoughtfully, even when intentions are positive. He noted that such guidance could also promote respect for others’ privacy and encourage children to develop healthy attitudes towards image sharing.
“Simple, sensible guidance encourages parents to think before posting and to respect the wishes of others,” Jodrell said. Pandya added that teaching children to seek permission before taking or sharing photos reinforces the importance of respecting personal boundaries for everyone involved.