Photos from a day at daycare delight families — but they’re sensitive information about children, so how you share them is worth some thought. Here are the general principles that help you do it well, whatever tools you use.
This article is informational and not legal advice.
Why photos are sensitive
A photo identifies a child. Once sent to a text group or posted online, it becomes hard to control who sees it or where it ends up. Law 25 generally treats these images as personal information (see our Law 25 guide).
Consent first
As a rule, sharing children’s photos should rest on parental consent — and that consent should be revocable. A parent who changes their mind should be able to withdraw it easily, with no negotiation. Documenting what was consented to, and by whom, avoids many misunderstandings.
Access limited to the families concerned
A photo should ideally be visible only to the families concerned, not the whole group. Limiting access per child keeps one family from seeing another family’s child — a simple principle that greatly reduces risk.
What’s better to avoid
- Text groups and personal email, which escape all control once sent.
- Social media, where an image can become public and permanent.
- Accumulating photos with no clear reason or retention period.
A few useful questions to ask
- Who can see this photo, and for how long?
- Is consent current, and easy to withdraw?
- Is the photo kept longer than necessary?
In practice
Sharing photos in daycare rests on three reflexes: consent, limited access, and controlled channels. These same principles guide how MonGardy is built for Quebec daycares. Product page: privacy & consent. For broader habits, see protecting children’s data. Learn more or register.
