Member forum: The children sector’s use of children and young people’s images

This Member Forum is for: Any members with a focus on child safeguarding, participation, marketing and communications, or in interest in digital challenges facing children and young people.

You or your organisation must be in membership with Children in Scotland to attend. If you are unsure of your membership or do not know your unique code please email events@childreninscotland.org.uk

As online risks continue to evolve, keeping children and young people safe remains a growing challenge.

In July of this year, the National Crime Agency and the Internet Watch Foundation issued a statement advising parents not to post pictures of their children online, due to the growing threat of AI-generated abuse imagery.

Organisations focused on children's rights were left with significant concerns, and questions. What are the risks and how do we support families to better understand them? With images being a data-backed mechanism for celebrating successes and amplifying the voices, views and experiences of children and young people – what is the impact of now removing them from online spaces? If we do continue to use children’s images in our online marketing and communications activities, how do we ensure that they are kept safe, and appropriately informed of the risks?

Children in Scotland now aims to help the children’s sector answer these questions. On 5 November 2026 we will host a Member Forum dedicated to this topic, to gather views and inform our next steps in supporting the sector on this issue.

This meeting will also hear an overview of the results of our member survey on the current use of children’s images by the sector.

We are particularly interested in the views and perspectives of staff focused on safeguarding, participation, marketing and communications, HR, and with an interest in children and young people’s online challenges.

Background

The Member Forum provides a space for policy staff in member's organisations to inform Children in Scotland's national policy influencing and development work, across the range of issues affecting children, families and the children's sector in Scotland.

Facilitator

Chris Ross, Policy, Projects and Participation Manager, and Julie Thomson, Communications & Marketing Manager at Children in Scotland

Become a member of Children in Scotland

Children in Scotland is the largest national membership organisation for the children’s sector in the country. To access discounted trainings and many other membership benefits including exclusive content and resources, and discounted commissioned training, please visit here.

Please see this page to review all notes on system requirements for online events, accessibility, copyright and data sharing, as well as our cancellation policy.