Dubai and Sharjah schools tell parents not to photograph or share images of other pupils
Private schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film other pupils or staff on campus, or share such images online, without consent. Strictness varies by school, and some parents say a full ban would be hard to enforce.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on school premises that capture other pupils or staff without consent. Gulf NewsN “Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued fresh circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on school premises.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Schools in Dubai have reminded parents to avoid taking photos or videos that capture children other than their own, or staff, without their consent on campus.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 2The guidance covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas, and parents are also asked not to share images of other pupils on WhatsApp groups, social media or other online platforms without permission. Gulf NewsN “The request covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Parents are also asked not to share images or videos featuring other pupils on social media, WhatsApp groups or other online platforms without permission.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Gulf News reported circulars from GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Boys (headed "Protecting Our Students' Privacy", from Principal and CEO Srivalsan Murugan) and GEMS Winchester School – Dubai (signed by CEO and Executive Principal Matthew James Lecuyer), citing "UAE privacy requirements and recent guidance being reinforced across private schools". Gulf NewsN “GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Boys, addressed the issue in a circular under the subject "Protecting Our Students' Privacy".”“GEMS Winchester School – Dubai has issued a circular carrying the same message, signed by CEO and Executive Principal Matthew James Lecuyer.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1The International School of Choueifat – Sharjah took a firmer line, saying photos and videos on regular school days are strictly prohibited, including of parents' own children, and asking parents to delete previously taken images that include other students from social media and parent groups. Gulf NewsN “The school reminded parents that taking photos or videos on regular school days is strictly prohibited.”“Any photos or videos previously taken on school premises that include other students should not be shared and should be removed from social media platforms and parent groups” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Choueifat's only exception is official open events to which parents are specifically invited, where they may film only their own children. Gulf NewsN “The only exception at Choueifat is official school open events where parents are specifically invited to attend and participate.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2The GEMS schools took a more conciliatory tone: photography remains allowed at designated events, they will give clearer guidance on when and where images can be taken and, where possible, create opportunities for families to take pictures safely, while official school photography continues under existing consent and safeguarding procedures. Gulf NewsN “for designated school events they will provide clear guidance on photography and, wherever possible, create appropriate opportunities for families to take pictures safely.” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “photography will continue to be allowed at designated events but clearer guidance would be provided on when and where images could be taken.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 1The National said federal law sets requirements around the confidentiality, security and protection of personal information, and that Dubai private schools must safeguard pupils' rights under the emirate's regulatory framework. The NationalN “which also sets requirements around the confidentiality, security and protection of personal information”“are also required under the emirate's regulatory framework to safeguard and preserve pupils' rights and take necessary measures to protect them.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1The Knowledge and Human Development Authority's protocols for private schools already treat photographing pupils in vulnerable situations as a privacy violation and prohibit taking photos during emergencies. The NationalN “photographing pupils in vulnerable situations is a violation of their privacy and that taking photos during emergencies is prohibited.” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Parents who spoke to The National broadly supported tighter rules because images are easily shared online, with Jenita Clara (child at Gems Legacy School) suggesting designated photography areas for parents to photograph their own children. The NationalN “parents in Dubai who broadly said they support tighter rules, particularly because images can be easily shared online.”“She suggested designated photography areas or specific opportunities for parents to take pictures of their own children.” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 1Verkha Bhatia (child at Dubai British School) also backed the measures but said keeping other pupils out of photos is "not realistic" at busy events and that a blanket ban would be difficult for parents wanting to keep memories. The NationalN ““This is something that cannot be controlled and it is not realistic, very hard to control,” said Ms Bhatia.”“a blanket ban could be difficult for parents who want to preserve memories of their children” Read at The National ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present the circulars as a privacy and child-safeguarding measure. Gulf News leads with the impact on parents at the school gate and the variation between schools; The National leads with privacy protection and adds the legal and regulatory background and parent reactions.
- Emphasis
- Gulf News stresses the school circulars and Choueifat's stricter stance; The National stresses federal data law, KHDA protocols and parents' support alongside doubts about enforcement.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gulf News does not give the legal basis or parents' views; The National does not mention Sharjah or Choueifat's stricter ban.
- Charged language
- “strictly prohibited”“Stricter stance in Sharjah”
- For example
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“Parents across the UAE may soon have to think twice before pulling out their phones at the school gate.” — Gulf News
“The measures are aimed at protecting children's privacy while still allowing families to capture important school moments.” — The National
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Dubai private schools have sent circulars asking parents not to photograph or film other pupils or staff on campus without consent.
- Parents are asked not to share such images on WhatsApp groups, social media or other platforms without permission.
- Designated school events remain an occasion for photography, and official school photography continues under existing consent and safeguarding procedures.
Where accounts differ
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How strict the rules are
- Centre
- Gulf News reports Choueifat Sharjah prohibits photos on regular school days entirely, while the GEMS schools ask only that others not be captured without consent and promise guidance for events. The National describes the rules as reminders that still allow photography at designated events.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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UAE schools ban parents from taking photos and sharing them on WhatsApp, social media
Neutral Reports school circulars from Dubai and Sharjah, contrasting Choueifat's firm ban with the GEMS schools' conciliatory approach.
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Dubai schools tighten photo and video rules to protect pupil privacy
Sympathetic Frames the rules as a privacy protection backed by law and KHDA guidance, with parents largely supportive but noting practical limits.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 5 Oct 08:34 First Gulf NewsN UAE schools ban parents from taking photos and sharing them on WhatsApp, social media
- 5 Oct 14:14 +5h 40m The NationalN Dubai schools tighten photo and video rules to protect pupil privacy
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.