am I paranoid?

[Autumn]

The school sent home a note asking for permission to display my child's name and picture in the building in the local paper and on the internet. I have no problem with the first two but am not at all sure I want my child on the web...am I paranoid do I need to chill out? or am I justifiably worried? What do you all think?

[Ahautenites]

If you were paranoid, your child's school wouldn't be sending home a permission slip. :)

[Phoenix Blue]

My question to the school would be, why do they feel the need to publish pictures of students on the 'Net? You're absolutely right to be concerned, as it might make students more vulnerable to potential kidnappers.

[April]

Why would a school want to put kids pictures up on the net? If it were my son's school asking for permission to do that, I think I'd be having a serious discussion with his teachers and the schools administration.

[Ben Trismegistus]

Why would a school want to put kids pictures up on the net? If it were my son's school asking for permission to do that, I think I'd be having a serious discussion with his teachers and the schools administration.
I would think the school would want to put pictures of kids on the net as a testimonial of some sort. As in, "here's pictures of some of our kids in school looking happy". I don't see a problem with it.

[VelvetBlade]

I would be fine with the first two, but the second would make me uncomfortable unless I knew why. But if you think about it, alot of people get the newspaper too, so I guess it's about the same...

~AW

[Ben Trismegistus]

Well, it comes down to this -- if you're uncomfortable, ask the school why they want to post your kid's picture.

[Thistle]

I don't think you're being paranoid. If it were me, the first thing I'd want to know is why they want to do this. And I'd better like the answer.

In my experience, school personnel don't always use good judgement in these matters. Once, my daughter and several other girls were taken out of class during a test by a "modeling agency" so they could be hustled to join up. Not what I sent my kid to school for! :( So I may be more suspicious and skeptical than most other people.

[Autumn]

I know that NY caselaw encourages this to be done for innoculous reasons...like the TV station shows up and the Weatherman goes into a classroom, they have to have permission from all the parents whose kids are to be shown on TV, not a problem, but some bonehead added the internet to the blanket release...I am likely to wind up crossing the word internet off the slip and letting it go at that...or writing a specific letter of consent

[Seren Mara]

I reckon the reason there's a permission slip is that some people get jumpy if pictures are taken of their kids, saying its an invasion of their privacy and human rights. There was a big to-do here about Nativity pictures last year. If you're uncomfortable then just say no, although to be honest I'm not sure about the difference between the picture being in the paper and it being on the internet. But I understand your concern.

[buttercup]

I am the marketing director and web administrator at a private elementary and middle school and we send out these types of forms every year. We use pictures of the children on the web site because, from an advertising standpoint, happy and active children are a draw to the web site and hopefully to the school. Looking at a school web site with no children on it is simply not as engaging. The children also enjoy seeing their picture or their school work showcased. At our school, the media release form asks specific permission for quite a few different areas. We get permission to use school work, names, and pictures on the web, in publications, and for media release. Parents or guardians can deny any or all of choices.

At our school, we generally use the release to identify those students who have permission for group shots that go into our quarterly newsletter, for a virtual tour we have of our school that includes each classroom, and for those occasions when an event has newspaper coverage.

I wouldn't worry about feeling paranoid. If you don't feel comfortable, don't grant permission. You know what is best for your child and the school recognizes your right to limit exposure of your child. Although I allow my kids to be photographed and allow their pictures on the web, I really don't see a reason for a childs name to be listed on the web. There is really no purpose in that. A newspaper article would be different...to me anyway. Go with whatever you feel.

[Cobalt Cobra]

Hrm.. I dunno if that's overly paranoid, but if it is, I'm right there with you ;)

If it's on the web, there ARE chances that some creep in your area could look at it and match the names with the photos, yadda yadda. That is what my initial thought was when reading your post.

However, if you sit back and look at it logically, what are the chances of that? If you teach your child the basics like never go home with strangers, even if they know your name (If I were a parent, I'd invent a code word or something instead. Names are far too easy to find out, even without newspaper photos), then it should be ok.

[EasternPriest]

I would be fine with the first two, but the second would make me uncomfortable unless I knew why. But if you think about it, alot of people get the newspaper too, so I guess it's about the same...

~AW

Most newspapers are already on the net....so if your child's picture is in the paper...good chance it's on the Net.

[Ravens_Tears]

With my school, I gave them partial permission. Our school websites will not publish identifying information along with the pictures or work of any child. Their names/signatures are pixilated on their work. But I am still leary of it as I have sole custody of my child and his sperm donor did try to abduct him at age 3... So anything specifically classroom project oriented is fine with me... publicaly accessible however is not..

[Mnemosyne]

At the school district in which I teach, those papers must be sent home each year. The school district sends out those forms to protect themselves legally. In order to have a child's picture on television, the local newspaper or internet, they need to obtain permission from the parent. And what kind of pictures are the school talking about? Just pictures of your student learning in class or doing some hands-on activity. If you go to any school district website, you will see pictures of students learning in the classroom setting, outside or on a field trip. If you don't feel comfortable with signing the paper, don't. It's no big deal. Also, the chances of your student's picture going on the internet or newspaper is quite slim.

[Sylvan]

Keep in mind that many newspapers have websites too. Your child's picture may wind up on the internet that way, without going through the school's website.

I'd probably feel paranoid about it myself.

[Starry Di]

although to be honest I'm not sure about the difference between the picture being in the paper and it being on the internet.
Other states can access the picture on the internet. If it's just in the newspaper, only your town/state (depending on the type of paper) can veiw it.

I said yes, you are over worrying. I think (don't quote me on this) that the number of child snatchings have gone down. At least, last I heard the number was down. But I could be wrong. I dont have a child myself yet, and I can see concern over having the picture on the internet, but overall, it doesn't concern me. Schools don't update their site pictures enough to even bother worrying about someone being able to stalk your child through their picture on the school's site. Your kids picture on one little site isn't going to hurt it. Unless you have an uncommon last name that would be easy to search and find your child over the internet with, don't worry about it.

[darastar]

The school two of my children attend sent out similar forms this year - personally I don't have a problem with them using photos, but I asked that they not use their names, so maybe that is an option you could consider....

[Faery-Wings]

I have been on both side of the coin. As a teacher and class parent, I have sent them home. Most parents do not have an issue. However I have run into a few instances where the child was protected by restraining orders and such and the parent was not comfortable with the possibility of the non-custodial parent finding them. That, as well as privacy issues must be respected. As a class mom, there were times when we were taking pictures simply for our own classroom use, we had to position the child to be at the edge of the group. we snapped the picture, cropping him out, and the child had no idea he was not involved. It was important to us that he did not feel different by not having his picture.

From the mom's point of view, I signed off on their slips. For the most part, the only paper my kids will get into will be the town one. The school website is really only for district use. I mean, it is out there but it is informative, not advertising.

I feel much more insecure about chat rooms on the internet than a school picture.

[FaerieGothMommy]

I'm with you on this one.... I'm a pretty over-protective mother myself, and would not want my childs personal information being plastered on the interent. I don't think you are being too paranoid. You could always turn them down about the internet, but let them do the other 2 things *shrugs* :)