photographysocial-mediaetiquettesafety
Is it okay to photograph other people's kids at the splash pad?
Quick answer
Don't photograph other kids without parent permission, even incidentally in the background. Frame shots tightly on your own children and crop or blur others before posting publicly. In playground settings, photographing strangers' children can create real legal and ethical problems.
Public spaces don't legally require consent for photography in the US, but social and ethical norms have shifted hard. Other parents are increasingly uncomfortable with strangers photographing their children, and posting those photos publicly can violate platform rules and create real conflict. Best practice: position yourself so background kids are out of frame or out of focus. Use a longer lens or move closer to your own child. If another child accidentally appears in your shot and you want to post it, crop them out, blur faces, or ask the parent. Never zoom in on a stranger's child. Avoid posting locations and identifiable backgrounds. If a parent confronts you, immediately offer to delete the photo while they watch. Some splash pads and water parks post explicit no-photography rules; respect them.