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The way we are used to seeing and producing images (photos, videos) of children in the Global North reveals adultist power dynamics that violate children’s rights. We are used to parents posting content of their own children for profit; we are used to images of children with dirt on their faces and sad expressions to illustrate displacement; we are used to photos of Black children holding empty plates in charity campaigns; and we are used to wealthy tourists taking selfies with children in the streets of countries in the Global South. These practices are inappropriate and disrespectful, yet unfortunately very common.
These examples show multiple forms of discrimination and power imbalance. Children are a minority whose needs are often overlooked, whose voices are ignored, and whose rights are violated daily. While their needs certainly require more attention and action, I believe that the way we handle images of minors further reinforces this inequality.
Taking a photograph of any person requires their consent. When photographing minors, this becomes more complex. Children may lack the maturity to understand longterm consequences, which is why the consent of a parent or legal guardian is required. Yet even then, one must question whether publishing children’s photos online is ever truly necessary or safe.
Furthermore, children who face multiple forms of discrimination are even more vulnerable to rights violations, both offline and online. Publishing photos of children, especially in distressing or vulnerable situations, can violate their dignity and privacy. Media often portray migrant children only as victims, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and reducing their agency and humanity. Such images turn them into symbols of poverty or crisis instead of recognising them as individuals with their own rights and dignity.
It is true that photographs can draw attention to urgent issues. A well-known example is the photo of Alan Kurdi, published ten years ago and still present in our collective memory. While children’s suffering and needs must not be ignored, we do not need more one-dimensional images that present them solely as victims.
NGOs and charity organisations often use images of children and young people to raise awareness or funds. Images of starving children, for example, may have a short-term impact and help secure donations. But the long-term impact is problematic: such images reinforce stereotypes about racialised communities and do not contribute to improving children’s rights in a sustainable way.
Images can cause harm in different ways. Once a photo is public, its use can no longer be controlled. It may be copied, repurposed, or manipulated, including through technologies such as AI-generated deepfakes, creating serious risks of exploitation. Images also shape the long-term ways in which society views children.
Children are human beings with rights. Protecting their privacy is a matter of basic respect. Children on the move are especially vulnerable and require special protection. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty. Several articles discourage publishing identifiable photos of children. Article 3 states that the best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in all actions concerning them. Article 8 protects children’s identity, and Article 16 guarantees their right to privacy.
In 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued General Comment No. 25, clarifying that children’s rights must be protected equally across all digital environments. Their privacy, safety, best interests, and dignity must be respected online just as they are offline.
Therefore, the publication of images depicting children, especially vulnerable children such as those on the move, must be approached with the utmost caution. Their dignity, privacy, and security must be fully protected in line with the CRC and ethical guidelines.
It is entirely possible to address children’s needs while fully respecting their rights. Faces can be blurred, photos taken from a distance, or stories told through words instead of images. Silhouettes or contextual pictures can highlight issues without exposing a child. We need better ways to raise awareness without harming children’s rights. NGOs, media, and individuals should refuse to publish identifiable images of children and instead give them a voice, not a face.
References
United Nations General Assembly. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Treaty Series. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child
UNICEF Bulgaria. (2021). General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment. UNICEF Bulgaria. https://www.unicef.org/bulgaria/en/media/10596/file
https://archive.crin.org/en/library/publications/childrens-rights-and-media-guidelines-and-principles-reporting-issues-involving.html
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