Struggling With Parental Consent Under DPDP Act 2023? Here’s How Schools Can Get It Right

Simplify Parental Consent and DPDP Compliance for Your School

Parental consent has quietly become one of the most challenging responsibilities for schools under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023. What once felt like a simple admission form signature is now a continuous obligation that touches communication, media sharing, digital platforms, and parent trust.

As expectations around privacy and transparency rise, many schools find themselves asking the same question:
Are we truly managing parental consent effectively—or just hoping our current process is enough?

Why Parental Consent Is No Longer a One-Time Task

Under DPDP Act 2023, consent is not something schools collect once and forget. It must be informed, purpose-specific, verifiable, and capable of being withdrawn. This shift requires schools to rethink how consent is managed across the academic year.

Consent today affects how schools share photos, use learning platforms, communicate digitally, and engage third-party vendors. When consent is unclear or poorly tracked, even routine activities can create risk and parent discomfort.

A strong consent process protects not just the school, but the relationship it has with families.

Start by Reviewing What You Already Have

Many schools assume they are compliant because consent exists somewhere in their documentation. In reality, consent clauses are often generic, outdated, or disconnected from actual data practices.

Reviewing current consent processes helps identify gaps—where consent is too broad, where it does not reflect real usage, or where it cannot be withdrawn in practice. This review is the foundation of DPDP readiness.

Clarity at this stage prevents confusion later.

Why Manual Consent Tracking No Longer Works

Spreadsheets, paper forms, and email-based tracking quickly break down as schools grow. They make it difficult to know who has consented, for what purpose, and whether consent has been withdrawn.

Automated consent tracking systems reduce this burden. They create accuracy, visibility, and confidence—allowing schools to demonstrate compliance rather than rely on memory or assumptions.

Automation is not about complexity. It is about control.

Building Staff Awareness Is Critical

Even the best consent framework fails if staff are unsure how to apply it in daily situations. Teachers and administrators interact with student data constantly—sharing photos, using apps, responding to parent requests.

Regular training helps staff understand what consent means in practice and how their actions affect compliance. When teams are informed, mistakes reduce naturally and confidence increases.

DPDP compliance works best when it becomes part of school culture, not just policy.

Transparent Communication Builds Parent Trust

Parents are far more receptive to consent requests when they understand how and why their child’s data is used. Transparency reduces suspicion and prevents conflict.

Schools that explain their data practices clearly—especially around photos, videos, and digital platforms—build trust quickly. Parents feel respected when consent is treated as a conversation, not a formality.

Clear communication turns compliance into reassurance.

Why Photo Sharing Needs a Privacy-First Approach

One of the most sensitive areas of parental consent is photo and video sharing. Informal platforms like WhatsApp or shared drives make it difficult to control access, revoke consent, or prevent unintended exposure.

A privacy-first photo sharing flow ensures that images are shared securely, purposefully, and only with the intended parents. This significantly reduces risk and aligns closely with DPDP expectations.

Safe systems protect children, parents, and schools alike.

Strong Consent Management Is a Leadership Decision

Managing parental consent under DPDP Act 2023 is not just an administrative task, it is a leadership responsibility. Schools that invest in clear processes, secure systems, staff awareness, and transparent communication find that compliance becomes simpler, not harder.

Most importantly, they earn something far more valuable than compliance: parent trust.

Get expert guidance on consent workflows, privacy-first media sharing, staff training, and ongoing DPDP readiness. Book a Free DPDP Consultation