– The students find it uncomfortable, and do not feel that they can be themselves when they know it is being recorded, says Trude Halvorsen. She is the principal at Røyslimoen primary school in Lillehammer. Over a period of time, the school has noticed a growing trend during the school’s events, namely parents who are more concerned with photographing and filming than being mentally present. That is why they have now taken an unconventional approach. – A challenge They have now decided to introduce a ban on photography during the school’s events. The ban was also unanimously adopted at the school’s FAU. – More and more people are picking up their mobile phones. It is a challenge when you think that parents take pictures of other people’s children when they are also taking pictures of their own, says Halvorsen. There may be good reasons why many people do not want pictures of themselves online or on other people’s phones, she believes. – Then it has something to do with asking for permission. Halvorsen believes it is important to take students’ privacy into account. CONSIDER: Principal at Røyslimoen school, Trude Halvorsen, says that pupils do not feel they can be themselves because of all the photography and filming. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news During school hours, they also try to teach students that you must ask permission before taking pictures or filming of other people. – Then it becomes a bit difficult when the adults do the opposite, says Halvorsen. The students are happy about the ban The ban is also well received by the students, say student council representatives Kristian Hansen and Eirik Tolstad Jensen. Both are in the 7th grade at the school. – I think it’s quite good, because there might be someone who has a bad day that day and doesn’t want to be filmed. It has certainly been uncomfortable for some, says Kristian Hansen. UNCOMFORTABLE: Eirik Tolstad Jensen and Kristian Hansen support the photo ban at the school, and say that several fellow students have felt uncomfortable with all the filming. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Schoolmate Eirik Tolstad Jensen says there are more people who may find it disgusting to be filmed. Especially if a child does something that was not planned, and then suddenly everyone has it on video. – It is good that there will be a ban. Suddenly there are over 40 parents and grandparents taking videos of them, he says. Prepared for reactions Camilla Martinsen is head of FAU at Røyslimoen school. She says that there has only been positive feedback on the ban. Several parents had also signaled that they think the use of mobile phones during performances has gone too far. FAU leader Camilla Martinsen believes that mobile phone use has gone too far. Photo: Private – We hardly manage to clap because we are standing there with phones. A number of children have said, not to me, but that they don’t know how to behave when they are being filmed. They feel they are becoming a bit artificial, because you are afraid of being filmed or doing something bad on film, says Martinsen. She feels confident that the new ban is well within the laws and regulations. She is also prepared that some may react when they hear about it. – But when we can hide behind the fact that it is not allowed to share films and images without consent, then it is not difficult. But I understand that it is drastic. That’s it. But that’s because we’ve let it go this far. – What is the counterargument? Martinsen receives full support from the school’s principal. – Some may still see this as a dramatic move? – Yes, it can be. But the counterargument, what is it? When it comes to being visually present and taking in what the children are doing, without it happening through the screen, says Halvorsen. The school has not had any unfortunate experiences where pictures and videos of the children have gone astray, but they want to be at the forefront of the ban that has now been introduced. – The students themselves have expressed that they find it uncomfortable, that this has been increasing and that more people are filming whole sequences and more children at the same time, in addition to their own child, explains Halvorsen.
ttn-69
Røyslimoen primary school introduces ban on photography at school events – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
