Student Photos on Your School's Web Site

I see it every day. Web site after Web site with beautiful photographs of ivy clad dormitory buildings AND very recognizable photographs of students. Why would a school want to expose its students to danger by putting their photos on the Internet? "Oh, but we have permission from the parents to put their children's photos on our site." Really? Wait until something horrible happens as a result of your creative marketing and see how that permission form stands up in court.

Exercise some good old-fashioned common sense and take the photos in such a way that you can't see faces. It's easy enough to do. Digital cameras allow you the luxury of taking shot after shot until you get it right. If your Web site has recognizable face shots, then take them down. Either that or make sure the photos are at least 10 years old.

Experts to students: Watch what you post Article in eSchool News about posting in MySpace.com. A must read for students and parents alike.