Working with children in video productions can bring incredible energy and authenticity to your charity’s story. But in South Africa, it also comes with serious legal and ethical responsibilities. Understanding the regulations is crucial—not only to protect the children involved but to safeguard your organisation from costly mistakes. These are some of the basics around protecting kids when producing video content in South Africa.

1. Consent is Non-Negotiable
You must obtain written consent from a child’s parent or legal guardian before filming the video. Verbal permission is not enough. It's also best practice to explain, in age-appropriate language, what the filming involves so the child is informed too.

2. Labour Laws Apply
According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, children under 15 may not be employed unless you have a permit from the Department of Labour. Even for unpaid shoots, these laws apply if the child is working under direction. For professional shoots, a Child Performance Permit may be required.

3. School Attendance Cannot Be Disrupted
Filming must not interfere with the child’s education. If you’re planning a shoot during school hours, you’ll need written approval from the school and must demonstrate that the child's learning won’t be negatively affected.

4. Safety Comes First
You are legally and ethically responsible for the child’s safety on set. This includes providing a parent or guardian to be present during filming, ensuring breaks, snacks, and a child-friendly environment. Avoid emotionally distressing or inappropriate content entirely.

5. Protect Their Privacy
Avoid sharing full names, school details, or identifiable location data in your final video—especially on social media. Safeguarding a child’s dignity and privacy should always be a top priority.

Filming with children can be deeply impactful—but only if done with care, transparency, and compliance. When in doubt, consult a local media lawyer to stay on the right side of the law.

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