Devonport High School Old Devonport High School Old Boys RFCBoys RFC

(inc. Stonehouse Sharks)(inc. Stonehouse Sharks)

Social Media sites – a Social Media sites – a guide to best practiceguide to best practice

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Why do we need guidance?Why do we need guidance?

• We have had requests for guidanceWe have had requests for guidance• Clubs see the benefits for advertising the Clubs see the benefits for advertising the

club, training times, fundraising events, club, training times, fundraising events, functions etc.functions etc.

• We can connect quickly (and cheaply) We can connect quickly (and cheaply) with our players/parents/supporterswith our players/parents/supporters

• We can showcase our achievementsWe can showcase our achievements

However………………………..However………………………..

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Why are we here?Why are we here?

Social media sites have their dangersSocial media sites have their dangers

To youTo you

To childrenTo children

To our clubsTo our clubs

This session looks at how you can avoid This session looks at how you can avoid those dangers and still use social media those dangers and still use social media sites to our benefitsites to our benefit

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What are the dangers?What are the dangers?

The dangers to you, the players and the The dangers to you, the players and the club fall into 3 main areas:club fall into 3 main areas:

• Compromising your own safety and the Compromising your own safety and the safety of your playerssafety of your players

• Damage to your club’s reputationDamage to your club’s reputation• BullyingBullying

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Positive outcomesPositive outcomes

• We all want our club to be seen in the We all want our club to be seen in the best lightbest light

• We want more players to join our club – We want more players to join our club – they have a choicethey have a choice

• We want to be respected in the We want to be respected in the communitycommunity

• We want any funding that is available – We want any funding that is available – we want sponsors to ‘like’ how we we want sponsors to ‘like’ how we advertise ourselves advertise ourselves

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Negative outcomesNegative outcomes

• Facebook can be used to promote poor Facebook can be used to promote poor sportsmanship – win at all costs ‘sportsmanship – win at all costs ‘smash smash themthem’ postings’ postings

• Prospective players/parents look at the Prospective players/parents look at the site and do not like the ‘message’ it site and do not like the ‘message’ it gives out – it does not promote a fun gives out – it does not promote a fun and enjoyable environmentand enjoyable environment

• The club gets a ‘bad name’ because of The club gets a ‘bad name’ because of negative postings by membersnegative postings by members

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BullyingBullying

• Young people can use Facebook to Young people can use Facebook to target and bully otherstarget and bully others

• Posting photosPosting photos• Slating the opposition before/after a Slating the opposition before/after a

gamegame• Inciting violenceInciting violence• Harassment on-lineHarassment on-line

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Dangers to ChildrenDangers to Children

• Putting children at risk by giving out too Putting children at risk by giving out too much information about themmuch information about them

• A ‘fun’ photo may not seem so funny to A ‘fun’ photo may not seem so funny to the childthe child

• Poor method of communicating specific Poor method of communicating specific information to a child – misinterpretationinformation to a child – misinterpretation

• Viewing inappropriate photos/posts Viewing inappropriate photos/posts

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Personal AccountsPersonal Accounts

If you use your own personal If you use your own personal

Facebook (or other) account to Facebook (or other) account to contact contact

your U18 players you are putting your U18 players you are putting

yourself at riskyourself at risk

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Best practice – Personal Best practice – Personal AccountAccount

• Set your privacy settings so that your Set your privacy settings so that your players cannot see your personal accountplayers cannot see your personal account

• Set up a separate account for contact with Set up a separate account for contact with players – better still a club Facebook page players – better still a club Facebook page – use only for ‘simple’ messages, changes – use only for ‘simple’ messages, changes to training times etc.to training times etc.

• Speak to the parents for specific Speak to the parents for specific messagesmessages

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Best practiceBest practice

• Think before you act and never post Think before you act and never post whilst tired, emotional or drunk (if over whilst tired, emotional or drunk (if over 18) – wait until the next day18) – wait until the next day

• Use social media to enhance yourself and Use social media to enhance yourself and the clubthe club

• Watch your language – will it cause Watch your language – will it cause offence?offence?

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Best practice – Club SiteBest practice – Club Site

• Don’t put personal details on your sites Don’t put personal details on your sites that may make a child vulnerablethat may make a child vulnerable

• Block users who contact you to harassBlock users who contact you to harass• Don’t link to other sites that may post Don’t link to other sites that may post

inflammatory commentsinflammatory comments• Monitor the site for misuse by playersMonitor the site for misuse by players

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RememberRemember

• Social media should enhance what we doSocial media should enhance what we do• RESPECTRESPECT for all for all• We need to monitor the postingsWe need to monitor the postings• Challenge inappropriate postingsChallenge inappropriate postings• ‘‘Block’ users if necessaryBlock’ users if necessary• We should promote fair play, fun and the We should promote fair play, fun and the

family game family game