Petition · Home Office

Make it illegal to photograph minors in public without parental consent.

Open for signatures 131 signatures

What the petition asks

Make it illegal to photograph minors in public spaces without the consent of a parent or legal guardian where the child is the main subject of the image, and prohibit the online sharing of such images without consent.
Current UK law allows photography in public, but smartphones and social media can let strangers capture and share images of children without parental or legal guardian consent. We think this creates serious safeguarding risks. Legislation should target images where a child is the main subject, ban online sharing without consent, and allow exceptions for parents, legal guardians, journalists, or public events, balancing child protection with freedom of expression.

Timeline

13 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 131
Status Open for signatures
Department Home Office
Opened 13 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.