The union wants camera phones banned in schools

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association is worried the technology could have serious implications for the safety of pupils and staff.

It warned that mobile pictures could also be used to cheat in examinations.

The union called for a complete ban on the use of such phones within all school premises.

'Huge risk'

It said all local authorities in Scotland should issue clear instructions banning the use of such equipment in schools.

SSTA general secretary David Eaglesham said: "There is a huge risk to the personal safety of pupils and staff and to the human rights of the individual to privacy.

"Mobile phone cameras additionally create huge problems for confidentiality of documents such as examination papers, thus giving rise to concern about cheating or inappropriate use of personal data."

He said that local authorities would be asked to put a ban in place and to seek co-operation from both pupils and parents in ensuring that it is effective.

Enough recent high-profile cases have shown just how great this risk is David Eaglesham SSTA

"The potential for images of children to be abused by paedophiles is our primary concern," Mr Eaglesham said.

"New technology would allow a simple photograph to be broadcast to a wide range of malevolent users and we cannot tolerate this.

"Enough recent high-profile cases have shown just how great this risk is."

He said that the use of images without the permission of the person photographed was "clearly a breach of their right to privacy".

Most schools will already have rules in place dealing with the use of speech-only mobile phones.

The SSTA said adapting these to ban mobile phone cameras would be a feasible step which some schools may already have undertaken.