UAE Students to be Penalised for Posting Photos Taken in School
School-goers cautioned of strict action if found in violation of UAE’s privacy laws.
UAE takes its privacy laws seriously, especially those relating to cyber-security seriously. And school children are not exempt from the country's rules either. With over 1 million children returning to schools across the Gulf nation last week, all school authorities have categorically sounded stern warnings against the taking of photos on the premises and sharing the same on social media. This, the educational institutions have been doing in their orientation sessions and assemblies. The initiative is aimed to enlighten not only school-goers but also their parents and the staff.
All schools have already banned their enrolled students from using sim-fed mobile phones and tablets. However, they do allow the bringing to school of laptops as educational aids - for the typing down or sharing of notes and images. The utilisation of the device is strictly limited to these purposes, emphasises Ranju Anand, CEO and Principal of Gems Cambridge International Private School in Sharjah. Spilling about potentially objectionable images of fellow students or teachers, without the subjects’ consent, violates cultural sensibilities and personal dignity. This is the underlying purpose of UAE’s privacy laws. Specifically, we are talking about Article 44 of the Federal-Decree Law passed in 2021.
However, unlike adults who could face severe fines and other kinds of penalties, errant students will be in for more lenient and softer punishment. This will be inflicted in the form of rehabilitation processes, which could include community service and/or additional educational activities. Also, the corrective measures would feature the supervision of an assigned guardian as well as a probation period and monitoring the guilty child’s use of electronic devices. UAE courts are authorised to oversee cases involving culpable minors from the ages of 12 to 18, with the quantum of penalty increasing with age. That should keep rebellious youngsters in line.
