Photos of young athletes: sharing with care

Why it is worth thinking about

In a UNICEF Parenting interview, the legal scholar Stacey Steinberg describes two kinds of concern when adults share content about children: possible tangible harms — for example, images being reused in ways nobody intended — and a missed opportunity to teach and model consent and privacy. She also notes that these harms do not currently seem very common, while the future is uncertain. That is a balanced starting point: no panic, but no carelessness either.

Young people’s views count

The same interview stresses that children of all ages care about how they are seen, and that what seems small to an adult can matter a lot to them. A twelve-year-old may be happy to appear in a team photo and very unhappy about a clip of their missed penalty. Asking first teaches that their image belongs to them — and shows them how to treat their teammates’ images.

Practical guidelines for clubs

• Have a written photo and video policy, and tell families about it when they join. UNICEF’s guidance suggests parents can ask organisations whether a social media sharing policy exists — a club should be able to say yes.
• Record which families have agreed to photos being published, and respect changes of mind.
• Prefer team and action shots to close-ups of individual children; avoid full names alongside images of minors.
• Never post images in changing rooms or in any state of undress.
• Do not share location details in real time (for example, ‘we’re at this hotel tonight’).
• Do not publish moments of distress or mistakes that could embarrass a young player.

For parents on the sideline

• Before posting a photo that includes other people’s children, ask their parents.
• Ask your own child: ‘Are you happy for me to share this?’ — and accept a no.
• Think about who can see your account, and how long the post will stay online.

A note on legal duties

Data protection rules on children’s information vary by country. In the UK, for example, the Information Commissioner’s Office publishes guidance on children’s information for organisations. This article is not legal advice: clubs should check the rules that apply where they operate and their national sports body’s guidance.