How do we address situations where family members post children’s pictures without consent? 

Parenting Perspective 

Navigating this issue requires a delicate balance of protecting your child’s privacy while maintaining warm family relationships. A clear, calm, and proactive approach is usually the most effective.

 

Have a Direct but Respectful Conversation 

Approach the family member privately to avoid any public embarrassment. You can explain that while you deeply appreciate their love for your child, your family has specific boundaries about posting photos online. A friendly but firm tone helps to prevent unnecessary conflict. 

Explain the Safety Reasons 

Briefly and calmly explain your reasoning. You can clarify that sharing images can sometimes reveal unintended information, such as a school uniform or a location. Emphasise that your concern is always about protecting the child’s safety. 

Offer Alternatives 

To soften the boundary, offer positive alternatives. Suggest that they can share photos privately through a family messaging group, or that you would be happy to print some photos for them. This allows them to celebrate the child without compromising safety. 

Be Consistent in Enforcing Boundaries 

If a family member repeatedly ignores your request, it is important to reinforce the boundary again, politely but clearly. Your consistency shows that this is a serious rule, not just a passing preference. 

This approach helps maintain family harmony while prioritising your child’s digital well-being. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places great importance on respecting the privacy and boundaries of others. Seeking permission before sharing something that belongs to another person, including their image, is a reflection of good character. 

Respecting the Rights of Others 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah An Noor (24), Verse 27: 

‘O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants…’ 

This reminds us that our faith values permission before we enter another’s personal space. In the digital age, sharing someone’s image without their consent is a similar kind of intrusion. 

Seeking Permission as a Sign of Good Manners 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6241, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘If a person looks at you in your house without your permission and you poke his eye and damage it, you will not be blamed.’ 

This teaches us the immense seriousness of safeguarding privacy in Islam. Protecting a person’s image from being shared without consent is a vital part of this respect.