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Comment by floren | Hacker News Reader

> For the rest of adolescence, you’d flee any adult wielding a camera.

I'm convinced we will see this again as children born in the last ~5 years become adults. Every toddler I know is constantly harassed by their mothers to pose for yet another picture, and if there's one sure way to make a kid hate something, it's for their parents to force it on them. I imagine a generation of kids who refuse to get into a group photo, and who instinctively turn and walk away when someone says "Ok, smile!"

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Anecdotally, I grew up that way pre-digital cameras (I'm 29, my mom is a photographer) and I actively avoid having my picture taken to this day because of it.

I occasionally take pictures, but I make sure to ask "Can I take your picture?" Every. Single. Time. Consent matters. If you're a parent who likes taking pictures, you should do the same as soon as your kid is old enough to understand and respond to the question.

I completely agree on getting consent. Always! The only exceptions are when the subject is so far away that you can only tell it's a person, and cannot determine the identity of the person. Besides, it's all too easy to be perceived as being creepy when you're photographing strangers. Don't be that creepy person.

I disagree. Candid photographs are way more natural and interesting than ones in which everyone is posing. I would much prefer people not to ask permission before they take my photo. In fact, the photo I use as my profile picture on social media was taken without my knowledge, and it’s better because of that.

Anecdotally, kids ask for their photos to be taken, because they see making photo as sign they do something special.

For kids, it is normal.

I would think that it largely depends on the age. I would agree with you for ages 3-9 years old and probably disagree for 12-18 years old, with the 10-11 year olds being a toss-up.

But the kids being followed by mom with cameras are in the 1-5 years old range. I never seen mom taking that many pics of older ones. Then it is more a thing of taking pick or two when on family trip with nice view around for family whatsapp group at max.

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