Photographs of children growing up are vital to their development and rules on whether such pictures are banned should be standardised, Scotland?s Children?s Commissioner has said.
Scottish Children?s Commissioner Tam Baillie was responding to a BBC investigation which found that councils across Scotland have ?widely differing policies on parents photographing children?.
The BBC probe found that parents and relatives in ?many areas? have been banned from taking photographs by schools and local authorities.
The report paints a picture of confusion among many parents who told the BBC they are unsure about where or when they are allowed to take photos.
One council spokesman said: ?We don?t have a policy?. Another admitted to the corporation: ?Oh God, this is a minefield.?
Baillie called for a standardisation of rules, ensuring children are protected without infringing the right of parents.
?We all want to celebrate children?s childhood and [photographs] can become some of the most treasured possessions for children, and indeed adults looking back on their childhood,? Baillie told BBC Radio Scotland.
He added: ?These can sometimes be quite fraught decisions because of the complications of the legislation combined with a real desire of parents to celebrate childhood as children grow up. Some additional guidance on that would be helpful.?
For the full BBC report click HERE.
