{"id":49186,"date":"2026-10-13T03:10:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T03:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=49186"},"modified":"2026-10-13T03:16:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T03:16:50","slug":"dubai-schools-explain-parent-photography-guidelines-rules-for-taking-pictures-at-school-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/13\/dubai-schools-explain-parent-photography-guidelines-rules-for-taking-pictures-at-school-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Dubai Schools Explain Parent Photography Guidelines: Rules for Taking Pictures at School Events."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"49186\" class=\"elementor elementor-49186\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4db05bb e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4db05bb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6c79f3 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6c79f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!--comp--><\/p><div><p><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><\/p><section dir=\"auto\"><!--if--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--try--><!--try-b--><!--if--><!--comp--><!--switch--><!--if--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--comp--><!--if--><!--comp--><!--switch--><!--comp--><section><!--comp--><div><header><br \/><div><!--comp--><!--\/comp--><\/div><\/header><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><\/p><h1><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Dubai Schools Tighten Rules on Event Photography to Protect Students\u2019 Privacy<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/h1><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Schools across Dubai are reminding parents to follow stricter guidelines when taking photographs or recording videos during school activities. With smartphones and social media allowing images to be shared almost instantly, educational institutions are placing greater importance on protecting students\u2019 privacy, safety and dignity.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->School events such as graduation ceremonies, sports competitions, performances and celebrations are special occasions for families. However, school leaders say parents must be careful when capturing these moments, particularly when other children appear in photographs or videos.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->While some schools have introduced restrictions on photography and filming without prior approval, others are encouraging families to seek consent and think carefully before sharing images online. The aim is to allow parents to preserve important memories without compromising the privacy of other students.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><h2><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Dewvale School Requires Permission for Photography<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/h2><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Dewvale School in Dubai has introduced a clear policy prohibiting parents and visitors from taking photographs or recording videos on school premises unless they have received specific authorisation.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Principal Seema Umar explained that schools are increasingly aware of the risks associated with photographs and videos being circulated through social media platforms.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->She said the policy is designed to safeguard students rather than prevent parents from documenting important occasions in their children&#8217;s lives.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->According to Umar, the school provides authorised opportunities for families to capture significant milestones while ensuring that students whose parents have not granted permission are not photographed or recorded unintentionally.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->The school also has procedures for dealing with unauthorised images. If a photograph or video includes other children without appropriate permission, parents or visitors may be asked to delete the material and refrain from sharing it.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Where an image has already been circulated, the school may request its removal and take further action in line with its safeguarding procedures.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Umar emphasised that protecting children requires cooperation between schools and families. She said parents should recognise that respecting students\u2019 privacy is a shared responsibility, rather than viewing photography restrictions as an ordinary school regulation.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><h2><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->GEMS Al Barsha National School Encourages Responsible Sharing<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/h2><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->At GEMS Al Barsha National School, principal and CEO Michelle Thomas said the widespread use of smartphones and social media has made it easier for photographs taken at school functions to reach large audiences within a short period.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->The school has established expectations for photography and video recording during assemblies, performances, sporting activities and other events attended by students and families.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Thomas explained that the school also follows the permissions provided by parents when using students\u2019 photographs for its own purposes.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->She said the intention is not to discourage families from taking pictures of their children but to encourage them to consider who else might appear in those images and how the content could be used.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Parents are advised to concentrate on photographing their own children wherever possible. They are also encouraged to avoid publishing identifiable pictures or videos of other students on social media or public websites without appropriate permission.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Thomas acknowledged that school events create lasting memories for families and that parents naturally want to record their children&#8217;s achievements.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->However, she noted that once an image is posted online, it can be difficult to control how it is copied, distributed or used by others. This has made digital awareness an increasingly important part of discussions about student protection.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->The school aims to address concerns in a reasonable and proportionate manner. Thomas explained that there is a difference between another student appearing unintentionally in the background of a photograph and someone deliberately recording children who are not their own.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->If a concern arises, school staff may speak privately with the parent or visitor, explain the institution&#8217;s expectations and, where necessary, request that the photograph be deleted or not shared.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><h2><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Abu Dhabi Schools Highlight Consent and Child Protection<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/h2><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Educational institutions in Abu Dhabi are also reminding families to respect consent requirements and follow applicable child-protection rules in the UAE.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Abhilasha Singh, principal of Shining Star International School, said parents are informed about the school&#8217;s confidentiality agreement and photography guidelines through its annual welcome communication.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->The school also reminds families of the country&#8217;s child-protection and safeguarding requirements. Singh noted that sharing photographs of children without the necessary consent may have legal implications under UAE law, depending on the circumstances.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->These reminders are intended to help parents understand their responsibilities when taking, storing and distributing photographs involving students.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><h2><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Parents Asked to Respect Every Child\u2019s Privacy<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/h2><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Although individual schools may follow different procedures, their central message remains consistent: families can celebrate their children&#8217;s achievements while respecting the privacy of others.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Parents are encouraged to check school policies before taking pictures, follow staff instructions during events and obtain appropriate permission before posting images that identify other children.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Schools are also emphasising the importance of responsible digital behaviour, particularly when photographs are shared through public social media accounts or messaging platforms.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->Thomas said every student has an equal right to privacy, regardless of whether their family is comfortable sharing photographs online.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->The growing focus on photography rules reflects schools\u2019 efforts to balance family celebrations with the need to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students.<!--\/if--><!--\/it--><!--\/for--><!--\/comp--><\/p><p><!--\/it--><!--it--><\/p><p><!--comp--><!--for--><!--it--><!--if-->For parents attending school events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the advice is straightforward: check the school&#8217;s photography policy, seek permission where required and think carefully before sharing images featuring other children.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><\/section><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc8cda2 e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dc8cda2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf5dba6 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bf5dba6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-1024x559.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-43381\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-1024x559.webp 1024w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-300x164.webp 300w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-768x419.webp 768w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-1536x838.webp 1536w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-550x300.webp 550w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1-330x180.webp 330w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/schhh-1.webp 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4c87af e-flex e-con-boxed cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f4c87af\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d70d1af e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d70d1af\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e38e014 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e38e014\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stu.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-36376\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stu.webp 760w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stu-300x166.webp 300w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/stu-543x300.webp 543w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-543dd04 e-con-full e-flex cmsmasters-block-default e-con e-child\" data-id=\"543dd04\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae51314 cmsmasters-block-default cmsmasters-sticky-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ae51314\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/school99-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-35724\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/school99-1.webp 760w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/school99-1-300x166.webp 300w, https:\/\/insider18.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/school99-1-543x300.webp 543w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Schools across Dubai have outlined clear guidelines for parents who wish to take photographs or record videos during school functions and activities. The rules aim to protect students\u2019 privacy while ensuring families can capture special moments responsibly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35762,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[84,9],"tags":[],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-49186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-uae","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49186"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49191,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49186\/revisions\/49191"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49186"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_template?post=49186"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/top_category?post=49186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}