This document provides guidance on photo etiquette and privacy concerns when posting photos online. It cautions that photos should not be posted without permission, as they could affect people's careers or privacy. Unflattering or revealing photos of yourself or others should be avoided. Location details and personal information like school uniforms should not be shared without consideration of safety and privacy implications. Permission is needed from all identifiable people in a photo before posting.

1. Smile!
You’re Online!
Ms White’s guide to photo etiquette

2. What’s wrong with these pictures?

4. • It’s unfair to post unflattering pictures. It
should NEVER be done without asking!
• You may have permission to post the
picture, but think about whether you
should!
• These pictures could come up in a job or
application interview process.

6. • Think carefully about whether it’s
respectful to post a picture like this.
• Have you got this person’s permission to
post such a photo?
• How does this photo and its
accompanying comment reflect on
YOU?

8. • Do you have permission to post this
photo? How many people’s permission
do you need to have?
• Does anything in this photo indicate
where it might have been taken?

10. • Firstly, enjoy the event – stop taking
photos!
• At an event like a wedding there is
usually a professional or designated
photographer. Allow the people whose
event it is to release photos of the day
when they’re ready.
• You’ve just given away what the dress
looks like – and maybe not in the most
flattering way.

12. • There are at least two people in this
photo whose faces are clearly visible.
Did you ask them if they wanted to be
posted on Instagram?

14. • Congratulations! You’ve just made it
REALLY easy for anyone to copy and
distribute your work. Did you think
about copyright at all?

16. • There are children in this photo – did
you ask their parent’s permission to post
pictures of them online?
• By putting pictures of children online,
you are creating a digital identity for
them over which they have no control.

18. • Well done! You’ve just advertised which
school you go to. Yes, someone will be
able to determine that it’s a St Cath’s
uniform from this picture.

20. • No, it’s not a provocative photo – you’re
in your PJs!! But you’ve just given
everyone a great view of what your
bedroom looks like.

22. • It’s not so much the photo as the caption
that’s the problem here (Although Ms White
says: ‘put that midriff away!’). This caption is
crying out for attention.
• You’ve basically just asked a whole
bunch of people to make a comment on
your physical appearance. Are you
prepared for what people might say?

23. Even though you’re not
legally an adult, YOU are
responsible for your digital
profile.
You also have an obligation
to behave in a way that is
digitally responsible.
Think before you post!