Post it, share it, send it. We hear those requests/commands every day. And in most cases any Rotarian will be safe and legal posting, sharing and sending. But, and this is a HUGE but, when it comes to children and teens rigorous caution must be applied.Children 13 and under are protected by COPPA. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. If photos or videos are being taken at a school or other childcare or education site, you may learn that a release form is on file that was signed when the child was registered. ALWAYS double check. If there is a child or children who must not have images captured, you will be informed.
What about teenagers? They post images of themselves every hour of the day, so it must be okay for us to use their images. NO. Unless you have permission via a signed release, or again a release via the school or site where the activity is occurring, you may NOT use their images.
What if you get a signed release at the beginning of the school year? Should you depend on that permission for the full year? Legally you are probably safe, but if the word “probably” makes you uncomfortable here’s why. Circumstances change for students during a nine-month school year. What was permissible in September may no longer be allowed under a changed parental or guardian situation. It takes so little time to check. It shows respect and sensitivity.
But it’s a private Facebook group. Our Instagram has just 12 people. NOTHING IS PRIVATE on the Internet. Not Facebook, not a website, not Instagram, not anything.
We need and love images. Let’s be safe, respectful, and legal when we use them.
Lynn Perez-Hewitt, M.Ed, APR
District Public Image Chair 2021-2024