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I would be interested in recommendations regarding children's pictures on-line privacy issues. 

> Our concerns often concern images of visitors many of
> whom are children especially image for use on-line. 
> 
> Martin


Children's pictures for on-line use are our biggest concern, too. It is a global issue. I don't know the US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, though, so please excuse me if my five cents don't fit. 

In Switzerland, we need the consent of the parents for publishing children's images. For newspapers, this used to be no problem. But for the internet, many parents don't give their consent anymore. I think that they are right to be cautious. But this makes taking pictures really complicated - some kids having the permission, others not.

No more happy children's images, then? 

In my oppinion, this is not just a legal question but also, within the legal frame, about how to handle children's images. There is something between not exposing children's pictures on-line at all and exposing them to the whole world at all times in full format and the best possible quality for everyone's use according to their needs. 

There are ways to limit exposure by not using children's pictures extensively (treating them as a luxury), during a limited period of time and in low resolution, for example. I am also trying to find alternatives like drawings, dolls, fun figures, just things with faces) for that dynamic and lively look children's pictures can evoke on websites and on-line plattforms, in order to replace at least some of them.

I am curious to know how you deal with children's pictures privacy issues.

Hanna

__________________

hanna sathiapal
fingertip hands-on science
birchlenstrasse 10, ch-8600 dübendorf
+41 43 355 92 70, www.fingertip.ch







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