There have been concerns about the risks posed directly and indirectly to children and young people through the use of photographs on sports web sites. Photographs can be used as a means of identifying children when they are accompanied with personal information - this is X who likes to collect stamps - this information can make a child vulnerable to an individual who may wish to start to "groom" that child for abuse.

 

Secondly the content of the photo can be used or adapted for inappropriate use and there is evidence of this adapted material finding its way onto child pornography sites.

 

Sporting organisations and clubs need to develop a policy in relation to the use of images of pupils on their web site. The sport will need to make decisions about the type of images they consider suitable and that appropriately represent the sport. They will want to ensure parents support their policy. When assessing the potential risks in the use of images of pupils, the most important factor is the potential of inappropriate use of images of children.

 

If sporting organisations are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate steps the potential for misuse of images can be reduced.

 

Avoid the use of the first name and surname of individuals in a photograph. This reduces the risk of inappropriate, unsolicited attention from people outside the sport.

 

An easy rule to remember is:

 

If the athlete is named, avoid using their photograph.

 

If the photograph is used, avoid naming the athlete.

 

Ask for parental permission to use an image of a young person. This ensures that parents are aware of the way the image of their child is representing the sport. A Parental Permission Form is one way of achieving this.

 

Ask for athletes permission to use their image. This ensures that they are aware of the way the image of themselves is to be used to representing the sport. An Athletes Permission Form is one way of achieving this.

 

Only use images of pupils in suitable dress to reduce the risk of inappropriate use. With regard to the actual content it is difficult to specify exactly what is appropriate given the wide diversity of sports. However there are clearly some sports activities - swimming, gymnastics and athletics for example when the risk of potential misuse is much greater than for other sports. With these sports the content of the photograph should focus on the activity not on a particular child and should avoid full face and body shots. So for example shots of children in a pool would be appropriate or if poolside waist or shoulder up. Age is also something that should be considered and this may affect what would be appropriate.

 

Create a recognised procedure for reporting the use of inappropriate images to reduce the risks to athletes.