Anonymity
Difficult ethical issues arise when we consider whether identification or anonymity of children involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour is in their best long-term interest. We should not normally identify children when featuring such behaviour to illustrate a practice, unless there is a clear editorial justification. Always seek advice from a senior editorial figure or for Independents the commissioning editor if you are unsure how to proceed.
Any queries about whether it is possible to identify a child with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) should be referred to Programme Legal Advice.
The decision to involve, feature or identify children whose parents are engaged in anti-social or criminal activity should only be made if the welfare of the child will not be harmed and if it is clearly editorially justified. This is particularly important when children may be at risk because, for example, they are living with an alcoholic parent, or being forced to work as couriers of illegal drugs.