Did you see that guy standing in the back by the pillar? He’s got a big bag and it looks like a super wide lens is coming out. What’s up? With many extracurricular and meet-ups moving outside under Covid & government regulations, we’re encountering new dimensions to privacy.
Many people pass by, some watch, some pull out cameras.
No one should take your picture without your permission. Children have this right as well.
That guy standing near the class had called the dance school for permission to photograph for a school project. Even though he got a go-ahead, technically, every person should give theirs too.
The Netherlands has an AVG Law relating expressly to privacy, including taking someone’s picture and using/sharing it on social media.
–AVG / Authority Protection of Personal Information
In our social media-infused society, it’s easy for digital images to instantly be everywhere.
It’s a far cry from the days of kodak rolls and disposable cameras.
But in an age where images and accessibility to images of CSA / child sexual abuse have skyrocketed, thanks in part to smartphones and widespread internet access, the act of picture taking itself can and should be used like any other teachable moment to help empower kids.
Here’s how.
1. Affirm kids in their body boundaries.
Let kids know that no one should take their picture without their permission or consent. This helps strengthen their idea of “my body, my say.” And kids should of course know that no one should ever take pictures of their private parts / parts under a bathing suit (however you’re saying this).
2. Alert kids to “good pictures, bad pictures”
Sadly we live in a world where kids have immediate access to heavy duty pornography, and/or, devastatingly, some people actually show children such images to help groom them for abuse.
“1 in 10 visitors to a porn site is under 10 years.”
–Bitdefender
This was back in 2016. How many more kids have smartphones and at younger ages today?
Let kids know early that no one should show them pictures or clips of people who are naked.
If you wait for them to ask, you’re too late.
3. Model the Good Behavior
Not all kids have parents or people in their lives working to empower them about body boundaries, or keeping digitally/image safe.
Some parents hold firm to culture or tradition that even forces kids to hug or kiss, etc. relatives when they enter or leave.
Imagine the message this sends to a child about their body boundaries, or worse, if God forbid the relative (or family friend) is abusing them.
As parents & youth worker, we can set the good example by modeling the right behaviors. For example, as a parent or family member, if you want a hug or kiss goodbye, ask permission. If the child says no, respect it. You could also ask if a High-5 is ok. As a youth worker or parent, taking impression photos of an event, check in with the children what you are doing and if they are ok with that.
Even if they simply say yes, you are planting a seed that someone should ask them before just doing something like that. And some kids (and adults) are actually uncomfortable with having their pictures taken, even if they won’t be shared on social media anywhere.
Asking helps someone speak up when social sub-pressures can make people feel they have to go with the flow.
There are so many little things we can do that plant positive seeds.
Don’t be afraid to step up. You really do make the difference. <3
