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Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week BY BILLEANE WILLIAMS Observer staff reporter williamsb@jamaicaobserver.com November 11, 2025 Dehumanising and insensitive Advocacy groups criticise posting images of children displaced by hurricane on social media. Two advocacy groups have condemned the emerging practice of aid donors posting on social media images and videos of children displaced by Hurricane Melissa, describing it as insensitive and arguing that it poses a risk of long-term emotional and psychological impacts. “It is not only dehumanising but strips children of the only thing many of them have left — their dignity,” Africa Stephens, executive founder of Fi We Children Foundation, said in a news release on Sunday. “We must be guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Jamaica ratified in 1991. Article 3 clearly states that in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration,” Stephens added. Stephens said that while it is natural to want to document the rebuilding process, such actions must never compromise a child’s dignity or safety. Hear the Children’s Cry spokeswoman Priscilla Duhaney agreed. She told the Jamaica Observer on Monday that it is imperative that the social, mental, emotional, physical, and physiological well-being of these children are protected. “We stand firmly on all principles that protect and preserve the innocence of our children. Their dignity and their rights are paramount in all circumstances. The fact that we have photos and videos being released with children’s faces exposes them to the media, and digital footprint is permanent,” Duhaney said. She added that children can become victims of paedophilia as there are always perpetrators and predators actively seeking to abuse children and capitalise on their vulnerability. “When it comes on to mental health or the emotional trauma that can take place, it might not have an immediate effect, but we know that in the future, at various points in time, it can affect children’s lives when they do things or things are done to them,” she said. Duhaney told the Observer that while bringing awareness is important, people will have to learn to strike a balance between what is too much and what is too little. “The fact of the matter is, if you are doing an interview — just like many other interviews and stories that are done from time to time — what is oftentimes done to protect the identity of our children is not using their particular photo or names,” she said. {"xml":"xml"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER Latest News, News Firearm seized in Riversdale, St Catherine November 10, 2025 ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The police have recovered a 9mm pistol and an affixed magazine during an operation conducted in the Lodge district of Riversda... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News US pledges additional US$10 million for Jamaica’s hurricane recovery November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) has pledged an additional US$10 million to support Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating impact of Hurric... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News WATCH: Taxi operators patch potholes on Red Hills Road November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — A group of taxi operators on Sunday came together to patch several potholes in the vicinity of Calabar High School and Lees Food F... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Chef charged with attempted murder November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 35-year-old chef has been slapped with several charges including attempted murder following an incident on Wellington Street in ... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News UPDATE: Two killed in plane crash en route to Jamaica November 10, 2025 Two people were killed on Monday when a plane crashed in Florida while on its way to Jamaica for hurricane relief efforts. This was confirmed by the C... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Dunn’s River Falls and Harmony Beach Park to reopen on Tuesday — UDC November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) says Dunn’s River Falls and Park in Ocho Rios, St Ann and Harmony Beach Park in Montego Ba... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News Market Bag: Escallion up to $1,200 as food prices soar after Melissa November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — With farmers across Jamaica taking a massive hit from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, food prices at the Coronation Market are on th... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Works minister touts Troy Bridge’s resilience after Hurricane Melissa November 10, 2025 The Troy Bridge in Southern Trelawny, which is currently under construction, is being touted for its resilience after remaining structurally sound des... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. 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