Safeguarding images of children

We have become increasingly concerned about the unregulated rise of Generative AI, in particular the safeguarding risks of children’s images being harvested and reused out of context. In the unregulated space there are also questions of ownership, once you post an image it seems that you lose control of it – and as our children become adults they might not want that! We have decided not to use any recognisable photographs of children’s faces on our website or marketing materials, However we still want to represent the joyful creative practice so we have:

Removed all identifiable photographs and curated a selection that show hands, back of heads etc.
Commissioned an illustrator to create new drawings and a comic strip of Speech Bubbles in action! This ensures that our response to the challenge is creative and gives employment to another freelance artist!

**Meet Bex Burgess, Artist and Illustrator:**

Rebecca Burgess is a comic artist and illustrator working in the UK. They have both written and illustrated several award winning YA and children’s books, and are particularly passionate about sharing their own personal experiences of autism in the form of fun and emotional stories. Outside of drawing and cuddling their cat, Rebecca also loves playing RPGs with friends, going on deep dives into history and growing vegetables in their humble Bristol flat.

Here’s some ideas that you might use with your class. This has been offered up by Elizabeth Kennedy, Speech Bubbles General Manager and visual artist.

Representing Children in Images Without Showing Faces or other identifiable aspects.

We can still use photographs, just slightly differently:

Silhouettes & Shadows: Capture profiles or shadows for artistic effect.
Back Views: Photograph children from behind to tell a story without revealing identity.
Focus on Details: Zoom in on hands, feet, or activities to convey emotion.
Props & Accessories: Use hats, masks, or objects to cover faces playfully.
Creative Angles: Shoot from above or below to obscure faces while capturing the moment.

Creative Visual Arts Activities to help consolidate learning and represent what children have been doing without showing them.

Story Collage: Encourage children to create collages using materials found in the playground—such as sticks and leaves—or classroom supplies like magazines, coloured paper, pens, and pencils. This activity allows for creativity with whatever resources are available.
Masks: Have children design and make masks that reflect characters or emotions they’ve explored. These masks don’t require specialist materials and can be a standalone project or a quick activity at the end of the day using card, pens, and pencils. You might use expression faces from the Speech Bubbles resource book or the provided template for children to colour and explore their feelings.
Shadow Puppetry: Children can make puppets from cardboard and sticks to reenact stories, combining creativity with storytelling.
Drawings and Paintings: Simple drawings or paintings are an excellent way for children to express what they’ve learned, understood, or felt. These artworks don’t need to be direct representations - children can freely explore ideas without aiming for a specific end product. You might also guide children through activities like colouring their feelings.
Modelling Dough: This classic creative material gives children the freedom to make whatever they imagine, supporting open-ended exploration.
Story Stones: Invite children to paint symbols on stones, which can then be used to retell stories or explain concepts.

These activities help children express themselves creatively and demonstrate their learning, all while maintaining privacy and not using identifiable photos. They foster imagination, teamwork, and reflection in a safe and inclusive way.

Safeguarding Children's Images Online