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Waveney FC Guide to the safe use of using Social media

Waveney FC Guide to the safe use of using Social media

Mark Gamble7 Jun 2019 - 20:08
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Don't get caught out...

Waveney Football club
Social Media Policy

Waveney recognized the importance of the internet in shaping the public’s perception of our club. Waveney FC also recognizes the importance of our Committee members, Mangers, Coaches and Volunteers in leading and setting the tone of social media interactions in a manner that advances Waveney FC’s mission and goals.

This social media policy applies to all committee members, Managers, Coaches, Volunteers, Parent’s of players, Guardians as well as players. The social media policy applies to all social media content posted by Waveney FC members in their professional and personal capacity to the extent to such content is related to Waveney FC.

1. Be positive and respectful, and always take the high road. When disagreeing with other’s opinions, remain appropriate and polite.

2. Do not post content that will harm Waveney FC or damage the reputation of Waveney FC. Remember that even while you are on your own personal time, you are a representative of Waveney FC and people may interpret your online postings or social interactions as though they are official Waveney FC Statements.

3. Use good judgement when posting comments on any official Waveney FC site. Bear in mind that your comments can create problems for Waveney as well as yourself. If you are unsure whether you comment is appropriate to post, either do not post it or obtain prior approval of the executive committee.

4. Be smart about what you publish. Once something is posted, it’s online forever.

5. Encourage others to engage in positive interactions on Social media. If you are concerned about any Waveney FC member’s use of social media, please bring your concerns to the attention of a member of the executive Committee.

6. Personal identifiable information (names, birthdates, street addresses etc ) should not be disclosed in any manner on official social networking sites without the approval of the executive committee.

7. Follow the best practice guidance from the FA :
Social networking, websites, mobile phone and email communications
The FAs intention and responsibility is to safeguard children and young people involved in football. As with other leading world brands The FA uses Facebook, YouTube and Twitter as a way of getting messaging across to the widest audience possible. Alongside the very beneficial aspects of modern communication technologies we have to recognise that there are also increased risks to children and young people. These risks must be appropriately managed.
Everyone involved in football must recognise that the responsibility to safeguard exists both on and off the field of play.
This guidance has been developed in response to requests for advice. It’s essential that clubs, parents, members and players make informed decisions about how they use the internet, mobile phone and email communications.
Clubs and leagues that set up websites, have a responsibility to ensure safeguards are in place.

Coaches, officials, referee mentors and those in a position of responsibility in clubs and leagues must ensure they communicate responsibly. The FA recommends that texting is not used as the primary method of communication between adults and child/young people in football. If its decided that the most effective way of communicating to young people is via a social networking site then the club/league is strongly advised to set up an account in the name of the club/ league and explicitly for use by named members, parents and carers solely about football matters e.g. fixtures, cancellations and team selection.
At no time should there be any personal communications, ‘banter’ or comments. Leagues and clubs are responsible for ensuring all content hosted on their websites, social network areas and any associated message boards or blogs abide by the Rules and Regulations of The Football Association. Clubs and leagues should appoint appropriate adults to monitor the content of their websites. Social networking is a cost effective way to communicate and easy to set up, but labour intensive to run. Children and young people should be advised by their coaches, parents/carers and CWO to always tell an adult they trust about communications that make them feel uncomfortable or where they’ve been asked not to tell their parent/carer about the communication.
Best practice for communicating with Under 18’s
Do:
• Get signed consent from parents/carers before using either of these methods of communication with children or young people
• Explain to parents/carers and club members the purpose and method for coaches, team managers, referee mentors, club officials etc to communicate by either text, email or both with their son/daughter.
• Only use group texts or emails and always copy in the parent/carer or the designated member of the club to all communications with young people
• Make sure texts or emails are only in relation to specific club related activities e.g. informing young people about changes in travel arrangements, training times or venue changes etc • report to the club welfare officer any instance(s) where you have received any inappropriate communications from a young person.
The club welfare officer will then agree what action the club will take, notifying parents/carers and any other appropriate individuals or agencies
Don’t
• Use text or emails for personal conversation, sending pictures, jokes or other items of a personal nature
• Respond to emails from young people other than those directly related to club matters.
• Advise your club welfare officer of any non club related emails you receive
• Use language that is directly (or could be misinterpreted as being) racist, sexist, derogatory, threatening, abusive or sexualised in tone .
Communicating responsibly with Young Leaders, Coaches and Referees U18
Many young people play a significant role as young leaders, coaches, medics and referees for clubs.

Their leadership role could create additional vulnerability if we do not ensure communications and interactions with adults are carried out appropriately both on and off the field and in the online environment.
They are likely to need to communicate frequently with other colleagues and The FA recognises that the use of social networking sites, forums and message boards may form an integral part of these communications and may be beneficial to their professional development with football.
Making effective use of these mediums is a positive step as long as it’s done appropriately. It’s important that we recognise they are not ‘adults’ and as such we have a responsibility to safeguard them as we do any other young person involved in football.
Following this guidance will put in place helpful safeguards. Read The FAs ‘Best Practice Guidance Social networking sites, mobile phones and email communications’; follow The FAs ‘Using Texts and Emails with U18s - Do’s and Don’ts’ guidance and ‘Responsible use of social networking sites’ guidance.
Referees/Coaches Contact details Mobile phone and email contact details for coaches and referees under the age of 18 should not be hosted on WebPages that can be accessed by the general public and must be held securely and displayed within private areas for the purpose of the activities they are undertaking with the written permission of their parent/carer.
The FA recommends the following as best practice in relation to communication with 16-17 year olds who hold a position of trust and/or responsibility within football:
1. Signed parental/carer consent should be given prior to email, social networking and mobile phone communications with young people holding a position of trust. Ideally the adult(s) who will be communicating in this way should be named. The purpose for the communication should be made clear.
2. Both parties to only communicate for the purpose of the identified professional role(s)
3. Email communications between the parties should copy in a named designated person (this could be parent/carer or club welfare officer)
4. Leagues appointing young referees to games should copy in another league official, parent or carer to their communications
5. If any inappropriate communication or content is shared between an adult and an U18 this should be reported immediately to the Club Welfare Officer who where necessary will seek advice from the County FA Welfare Officer and/or statutory agencies as appropriate.
Communicating with U18 Referees Please Note: These referees may well be contacted by a variety of appointment secretaries or clubs seeking a referee for a game. Consequently it would be acceptable to indicate the role rather than the named individual(s) in this instance

The executive committee of Waveney FC shall have the authority to monitor and enforce the social media policy. The executive committee and any individual appointed by the Executive committee shall have the authority to remove any inappropriate or offensive comments from official Waveney FC sites and to block any individual or organization from posting on any official Waveney FC social media platform if they determine, in their sole discretion that such removal or block is in the best interest of Waveney FC

Further reading