Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice

Ban the taking of photographs of children without parental consent

Closed 121 signatures

What the petition asks

Change the law to safeguard our children by preventing people taking unauthorised photographs of children in public and distributing them on Social Media. Current Safeguarding guidelines aren't enough to protect children that are potentially classed as vulnerable.
I would like the Government to make it a criminal offence to take photographs of children in public places unless authorised by either a parent or the child. These photos can be distributed on Social Media against the parents or child's wishes. If the child is classed as vulnerable the only thing protecting them is the Safeguarding guidelines, which aren't enough.

Timeline

18 Feb 2021 Petition opened for signatures
18 Aug 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 121
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 18 Feb 2021
Closed 18 Aug 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.