Dubai schools tighten photography rules as parents told not to capture other students

Parents in Dubai are being urged to exercise caution when taking photographs or videos on school premises, particularly when other students or staff members may be captured in the background.

Several private schools are reinforcing guidance around photography and the sharing of images as part of wider efforts to protect children’s privacy and safety in an increasingly digital environment.

Dubai School Issues Photography Reminder to Parents

A recent circular sent to parents at a Dubai school asked families and visitors to avoid taking photographs or videos on school premises if other students or staff could be captured without appropriate consent.

The guidance applies across school areas, including:

• Classrooms and corridors

• Playgrounds

• School assemblies

• Drop-off and pick-up areas

• School events and activities

Parents have also been reminded not to share photographs or videos containing other students through social media, WhatsApp groups or other digital platforms without the necessary consent.

Why Children’s Photos Are Considered Personal Data

The reminder comes amid increased attention to children's privacy and the handling of personal information in the UAE.

Under the UAE’s Federal Decree Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data, personal data generally cannot be processed without consent, subject to specific exceptions provided under the law.

The legislation includes requirements related to the confidentiality, security and protection of personal data.

For schools, these requirements also sit alongside Dubai’s private-school regulatory framework, which requires institutions to safeguard student rights and take appropriate measures to protect them.

Photography Can Become a Privacy Concern

A photograph taken during an ordinary school activity may appear harmless, but privacy concerns can arise if another child is clearly identifiable.

The issue can become more significant when the photograph or video is subsequently shared beyond the family. Once an image is posted on social media or forwarded through WhatsApp groups and other digital platforms, controlling further distribution can become difficult.

Dubai school protocols also recognise photography as a privacy concern, particularly when students are photographed in vulnerable situations.

Schools to Offer Designated Photo Opportunities

The guidance does not mean parents are prohibited from taking photographs of their own children at school events.

Instead, schools are encouraging families to follow specific arrangements and use designated opportunities where photography is permitted.

Official school photography will continue to operate under established consent and safeguarding procedures, according to the circular.

This distinction is particularly relevant during concerts, assemblies, sports days and other school events, where several children may be present at the same time.

Parents Asked to Follow School Photography Policies

Parents attending school events are being encouraged to check the individual school's photography and videography rules before taking or sharing images.

Being allowed to attend an event does not automatically mean that every child present can be photographed or filmed.

Many Dubai schools already have photography and videography policies that require parental consent for the use of children's images and establish rules governing photography during school activities and their subsequent use on social media.

The renewed guidance highlights the importance of respecting other children's privacy while allowing families to safely record important moments involving their own children.