- A new debate has emerged regarding the tradition of children sitting on Santa Claus's lap for photographs during Christmas celebrations.
- The discussion centers on whether these practices respect child consent and privacy rights.Psychologist Alberto Soler notes that while schools may not have malicious intent, the tradition persists due to inertia and parental pressure.
- He questions whether the presence of cameras changes the nature of these interactions.Iñaki Alonso, a member of the Child Safeguarding Committee at the Consejo de Europa, criticizes the practice as instrumentalizing children for adult social media content.
- He warns this sends problematic messages about digital rights.Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Australia have developed specific guidelines recommending against seating children on Santa's lap, limiting physical contact, and ensuring adult supervision.
Quick Summary
A new debate has emerged regarding the tradition of children sitting on Santa Claus's lap for photographs during Christmas celebrations. The discussion centers on whether these practices respect child consent and privacy rights.
Psychologist Alberto Soler notes that while schools may not have malicious intent, the tradition persists due to inertia and parental pressure. He questions whether the presence of cameras changes the nature of these interactions.
Iñaki Alonso, a member of the Child Safeguarding Committee at the Consejo de Europa, criticizes the practice as instrumentalizing children for adult social media content. He warns this sends problematic messages about digital rights.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Australia have developed specific guidelines recommending against seating children on Santa's lap, limiting physical contact, and ensuring adult supervision.
The Tradition Under Scrutiny
During the holiday season, schools frequently share photographs of children sitting on the lap of someone dressed as Santa Claus. These images typically appear on school communication apps around midday. The practice extends beyond schools to cultural centers, commercial establishments, and sports facilities.
Despite the widespread nature of this tradition, some families express discomfort privately. One family noted they would have preferred if the situation of holding children did not occur. This sentiment reflects a growing concern about physical boundaries during holiday celebrations.
Psychologist Alberto Soler explains that these activities in schools contain no inherent malice but rather represent institutional inertia. He suggests examining the purpose of these actions and who benefits from them.
Hubiéramos preferido que esta situación de coger a las criaturas no se diera— Private family statement
The Role of Photography and Social Media
The debate extends beyond physical contact to include the documentation of these moments. Alberto Soler questions whether the scene would change if there were neither intention nor option to take photographs. He highlights that many schools do not consider changes due to parental pressure, describing the constant visual documentation in schools as a form of big brother surveillance.
Iñaki Alonso, a member of the Child Safeguarding Committee at the Consejo de Europa, addresses the motivations behind sharing these images. He states that many families want the photographs simply to share on social media for adult ego.
Alonso describes this as the instrumentalization of childhood. He questions what message this sends to children regarding their future responsibility for their own image and digital rights.
International Guidelines and Recommendations
While this debate is relatively new in Spain, other countries have already established formal policies. The United Kingdom and Australia have developed specific guidelines to address these concerns.
These international recommendations focus on three main areas:
- Avoiding seating minors on Santa's lap
- Limiting physical contact between children and costumed characters
- Guaranteeing the presence of another adult during all interactions
These guidelines represent a proactive approach to balancing holiday traditions with modern understandings of child safety and consent.
Moving Forward
The conversation surrounding holiday traditions and child consent continues to evolve. Schools and families must navigate the tension between long-standing customs and contemporary ethical considerations regarding privacy and bodily autonomy.
As Iñaki Alonso suggests, the focus should remain on what messages these practices send to children about their rights and boundaries. The debate highlights the need for thoughtful examination of traditions that may need updating for modern contexts.
"En este tipo de actividades en las escuelas no hay ninguna maldad, hay inercia"
— Alberto Soler, Psychologist
"¿Qué hubiera pasado si no hubiera habido ni intención ni opción de hacer ninguna foto, habría cambiado la escena?"
— Alberto Soler, Psychologist
"Muchas familias quieren la imagen simple y llanamente para compartirla después en redes, por el ego del adulto"
— Iñaki Alonso, Child Safeguarding Committee
"A esto me refiero cuando hablo de instrumentalización de la infancia, y me pregunto qué mensaje les lanzamos para que luego sean adolescentes responsables con su propia imagen y sus derechos digitales"
— Iñaki Alonso, Child Safeguarding Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are traditional Santa photos being questioned?
Experts question whether these photos violate child consent and privacy rights, and whether they prioritize adult social media sharing over children's comfort and boundaries.
What do international guidelines recommend?
The United Kingdom and Australia recommend avoiding seating children on Santa's lap, limiting physical contact, and ensuring another adult is present during interactions.
What is the main concern about social media sharing?
Experts worry that sharing children's photos for adult ego teaches poor lessons about digital rights and the responsible management of personal images.
