19/05/2026
To our Forest Friends families 🤍
As part of some important changes at Forest Friends, we have been reflecting on how we document and share children’s experiences online.
After careful consideration, we have made the decision to significantly reduce the use of identifiable photographs of children across our social media and wider online platforms.
This decision comes from our commitment to safeguarding and protecting children’s wellbeing in an increasingly digital world. Technology, including AI and facial recognition, continues to evolve rapidly and we believe our safeguarding practices should evolve alongside it.
We believe children deserve the opportunity to grow up with privacy, dignity and the freedom to decide for themselves what parts of their lives they wish to share online in the future.
This does not mean we will stop celebrating the beautiful learning that happens every day at Forest Friends.
Instead, our approach to documentation will become more intentional, focusing on learning experiences, environments, children’s creations, moments of discovery, muddy boots, tiny hands and the magic of childhood itself, rather than identifiable images of faces.
We are also reflecting on the wider culture of constant digital updates. In a world where every moment can feel expected to be photographed and shared, we believe childhood should still leave space for privacy, presence and genuine connection. Documentation should be meaningful, purposeful and respectful, not simply a daily online photo album.
Please be reassured that families will continue to receive personalised updates and identifiable photographs of their own child securely through iConnect, ensuring you remain connected to your child’s experiences, achievements and development.
We understand this may feel different for some families and we welcome open conversations and questions. As always, our responsibility is to place children’s safety, wellbeing and rights at the heart of everything we do.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
With warmth,
The Forest Friends Team 🌿
