Social Media Policy
Social Media, when used properly, is exciting and opens up a lot of opportunities, but at times it can seem strange and even intimidating for people who did not ‘grow up’ with it. Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), texting, WhatsApp, online gaming and personal emails are everywhere. By following some simple guidelines potential pitfalls can be avoided, and Social Media can be safely used as a promotional tool and a means of communication for Draycott & Hanbury Cricket Club (D&HCC).
The aims of our social media policy are:
- To protect all children and young people involved in our club and who make use of technology (such as mobile phones, games consoles and the internet) while in our care.
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- To provide staff and volunteers with policy and procedure information regarding online safety and inform them how to respond to incidents.
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- To ensure our club is operating in line with our values and within the law regarding how we behave online.
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Guidance for Club Officials / Coaches / Managers
Social Media accounts are great for promoting our club and cricket in general, as well as being a fun way to unwind and stay in touch with friends: it is essential to keep these two worlds separate.
You should have separate cricket club related and personal pages; all contact with players should be through the former, and strictly in relation to training, coaching, matches and cricket related activity.
You should also adjust the privacy settings for your personal account so that content is only visible to accepted 'friends'. This will keep younger players safe from material that may be unsuitable for them, and will reduce the risk of your online interactions being viewed with suspicion.
Although younger players may see you as a friend, and may request to be your 'friend' on a social media site, you should direct them to the cricket club related page and keep all contact professional. What they might consider innocent, friendly contact may not be seen as such by their parents, people at the club and others.
Texts, apps and emails: contacting Under 18 players
The Children Act defines a person under 18 years as a child.
D&HCC will make arrangements for under 18's via their parents or carers; this includes text and email or WhatsApp messages etc.
It is understood that in the case of over 16's this may not be ideal for yourself or the parents. An acceptable exception to this rule is to text or email the parent and to copy in the 16 or 17 year old, with the parent's prior consent. This means the parent is able to monitor communications, but the 16 or 17 year old receives the information directly.
If you receive any responses that appear inappropriate they should be brought to the attention of the parent or carer.
You should not engage in individual text or email conversations with a 16 or 17 year old without their parent receiving the same messages from you. All contact with children should be in relation to coaching, matches and cricket-related activity.
Guidance for D&HCC Members
D&HCC adopt Cricket Derbyshire's six guidelines to help cricket supporters make the most of social media and judge what is and is not appropriate.
Six questions to ask before you post or share:
- Would saying this be acceptable if I was attending a cricket match in person? Remember it just isn't cricket to show a lack of respect.
- Would I want my boss, my family or my coach to see this? “Views expressed are my own” won't stop them being embarrassed or change the opinions they form.
- Would a newspaper publish this? If the answer is no, it probably breaks libel or defamation laws.
- Am I 100% certain this is acceptable? If in doubt, leave it out.
- Before sharing or re-tweeting, would I write this myself and do I endorse it? If the answer is no, don't pass it on. By re-tweeting or sharing, you might as well be posting it yourself.
- How would I feel if someone wrote this about me? If you wouldn't like it, don't post it.
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Remember: You are representing the club therefore your communications should conform to this guidance. Ensure that nothing you post could cause personal distress or be seen as inappropriate for children. You should have consent before posting any personal information online - this includes photographs where an individual can be identified. Remember the picture/no name guidance for under 18's and always get parents' permission.
If you wouldn't put it on the club notice board, it doesn't belong on the club's social media pages.
If you have concerns regarding social media, texts or emails or if you suspect that someone is using social media in an unsafe or inappropriate manner, you should report their behaviour to your Club Safeguarding Officer, the County Safeguarding Officer, or the ECB Safeguarding team - email safeguarding@ecb.co.uk
If you believe that an offence has been committed, or that someone's use of social media is placing a child is at risk of harm, inform the police immediately.
Date Reviewed: January 2024
Next Review Due: January 2025
