SMACC Definitive Guide for Schools & Creators
Teaching Children About Filming, Digital Rights & Online Safety
🌎 Purpose of This Guide
This guide is intended for schools, teachers, school boards, parents, and content creators. It provides clear, age-appropriate teaching strategies and outlines relevant laws to ensure children are equipped to understand their rights, stay safe, and engage responsibly in an increasingly digital world.
📈 Why It Matters
Children are growing up in a media-rich world. They appear in classroom recordings, online learning tools, vlogs, TikToks, Instagram Reels, and more. As educators and adults, we must:
- Teach them how to navigate this world confidently
- Respect and protect their legal rights
- Empower them to say “no” when their privacy is at risk
⚖️ Legal Framework: Key Children’s Rights
| 📄 Right | 👫 What It Means for Children | 🏛️ Legal Foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Privacy | No one should film or publish a child’s image without legal basis or consent | Article 8, EU Charter of Fundamental RightsArticle 16, UNCRC |
| Right to Be Forgotten | Children can request content involving them be deleted | Article 17, GDPR |
| Right to Consent (GDPR-K) | Parental consent is required to collect or use a child’s data online | Article 8, GDPR (Age 13–16 depending on country) |
| Right to Say No | A child can object to being filmed or photographed | Article 12, UNCRC |
| Protection from Exploitation | Children must not be used for content monetization or manipulation without safeguards | Article 36, UNCRC |
Age of Consent for Data Processing (GDPR-K):
- 13: UK, Ireland, Sweden
- 14: Spain, Portugal, Italy
- 16: Germany, Netherlands, France
- USA: COPPA applies for under 13s (strict parental consent)
👦 Teaching Ages 6–10: Awareness Without Fear
What to Teach
- “You can say no to being filmed.”
- “Tell a trusted adult if you feel uncomfortable.”
- Spotting when someone is filming
- Avoid full names, uniforms, addresses in videos
Suggested Activities
- Role-play scenarios at the park, school, and shop
- Practice saying: “Please don’t film me.”
- Drawing exercise: “My safe video zone”
Key Message
“Your face and your voice are yours. You don’t have to share them with anyone.”
👩🏫 Teaching Ages 10+: Digital Rights, Responsibility & Real-Life Scenarios
What to Teach
- Image ownership: “Your photo = your property”
- Consent awareness: You can say “no” even in public
- Reporting & take-downs: How to flag and request removal of videos
- Digital footprint: What you post may last forever
Topics for Classroom Debate
- “Should someone be allowed to film others in public without asking?”
- “Would you let your video be seen by the whole world forever?”
Practical Skills
- How to disable geotags
- Using nicknames or avatars online
- Privacy settings walkthroughs on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
📄 Summary Table: Guidance for Schools
| ✅ DO | ❌ DON’T |
|---|---|
| Teach consent and privacy | Assume kids understand digital risks |
| Encourage children to speak up | Dismiss their concerns |
| Explain their legal rights | Use shame-based language |
| Adapt language by age group | Record children without clear permission |
🌐 For Teachers & School Boards
- Include digital privacy modules in PSHE, media studies, or IT
- Use SMACC templates: model release forms, parental consent forms, and child-friendly policy posters
- Maintain records of all media consents
- Ensure any school content involving children is:
- Approved by guardians
- Edited for safety (no ID markers, etc.)
- Not monetized without full legal compliance
📅 Upcoming from SMACC:
- PDF Poster: “Know Your Rights Around Cameras”
- PowerPoint Pack: “Camera Awareness & Consent for Kids”
- Template Bundle: Consent forms, withdrawal requests, school guidance policies
🚀 Final Word
Every child has the right to understand who is filming them, why, and what happens next. Every adult working with children has the responsibility to educate, protect, and empower them.
Together, we can build a digital future that respects childhood.
Check out opportunities to help educate here Here’s a polished and compelling job board listing for SMACC regional members willing to volunteer in schools, focused on digital rights and filming awareness education.
📢
SMACC Community Role: Volunteer School Presenter on Filming Awareness & Digital Rights
Location: Regional (Flexible within your local area)
Type: Volunteer / Community Engagement
Time Commitment: 2–4 hours per school visit (as scheduled)
Compensation: Unpaid – community relationship building role
Application Deadline: Ongoing
🎓
About the Role
SMACC is building a network of regional members to support local schools by offering engaging, age-appropriate presentations on:
- Being filmed in public and online
- Understanding digital rights and privacy
- How social media and content creation work
- Staying safe when posting or appearing in videos
This is part of SMACC’s wider initiative to build trust and relevance in the education sector and help children become informed digital citizens.
🧑🏫
What You’ll Do
- Visit primary or secondary schools in your area (alone or with a co-presenter)
- Use SMACC-provided lesson plans, posters, and visual aids
- Lead a short workshop or assembly presentation (20–45 mins)
- Answer questions from students and teachers
- Represent SMACC as a community-focused, trusted body
📋
Requirements
- SMACC Verified Member in good standing
- Comfortable speaking to young audiences (ages 6–16)
- Clear understanding of basic digital rights and online safety (training provided)
- Respectful of school environments and safeguarding procedures
- Professional in presentation, language, and engagement
🧰
What We Provide
- Pre-written lesson outlines and visual aids
- Training materials and presenter brief
- Official SMACC School Visitor ID and certificate
- Directory listing as a Community Educator
- Optional testimonial letter for your portfolio or business use
🤝
Why Join?
This role is ideal for creators, educators, or professionals who:
- Want to build trust in their local community
- Are passionate about digital safety and children’s rights
- See value in long-term school partnerships
- Wish to be part of shaping SMACC as a respected international voice
📩 Interested?
Apply through the SMACC portal at smacc.pro/join-education-team (link placeholder)
Or contact us at: education@smacc.pro
