Saltburn Tennis Club (STC)

Social Media Policy

Policy brief and purpose

Saltburn Tennis Club recognises the importance of social media sites as an information and communication tool. We share a Facebook page with Saltburn cricket and bowls club, have our own website and various WhatsApp groups as well as using other social networking sites such as Twitter and Instagram.  As a result, all members of the Club need to be aware of the need for relevant safeguards to be in place to ensure respect and privacy for our members and to ensure that children and young people remain safe whilst online or using social media.

This policy applies to all members, parents and carers. For those with children we expect them to read through the document and where applicable to discuss and share with their children.

Scope

This policy applies to everyone at the club; members, volunteers and other participants who use the club or are on the club grounds for any legitimate reason.

Definitions

Social media is the collective of online communications and media channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration via a range of technologies such as desktop, laptop, tablets, smartphones and other internet enabled devices.

Usage

STC uses social media to positively promote their club, themselves and their achievements and the sport of tennis. They try to ensure the balance between the right to free speech and the responsibility not to insult, slander, abuse or create risks to anyone’s personal safety. This Policy seeks to assist each person in knowing how to achieve that balance.

Guidance/Acceptable use statements

We will all be responsible for our own behaviour when using the internet and social media at STC (and whilst involved in activities/trips organised by STC,) including the content accessed and how we conduct ourselves.

We will not deliberately create, browse or access material that could be considered offensive, inappropriate or illegal. If we accidentally come across any such material, we will report this to a member of the Committee, Coach or Team Captain. We should understand that electronic devices may need to be temporarily confiscated if we are found to have deliberately accessed such material.

We will not use social media or the internet to send anyone data, images or other material which could be considered inappropriate, threatening, offensive, upsetting, bullying or illegal.

We understand that we should only use the club’s social media or website communication channels to make contact and should not seek out individual members of staff or coaches.

We will ensure any messages sent to coaches, volunteers or other members of the committee are about tennis activities and nothing else.

We understand that all use of internet and social media is potentially visible to everyone and that any issues involving our behaviour online may be addressed by the coach or committee members.

We will not share passwords with anyone else.

Should anyone we have met online request a personal meeting adults can use their own discretion but children should always discuss such requests with an authorised member of staff or parent/carer.

We understand that these rules are designed to keep us safe, and if they are not followed a person of authority may be contacted (parent/carer, club welfare officer, police and/or children’s services.)

We understand that advance permission must be obtained before posting any personal information about an individual. This includes any identifiable video or still images as well as comments such as discussing a person’s tennis ability. Any such personal data must comply with the GDPR which includes ensuring that it must be accurate and that the individual has the right to see the data being posted, to correct it or to ask for all instances of it to be fully deleted.

We should all be aware that if we are experiencing bullying behaviour or abuse online, we can contact Mary Walker (Welfare Officer) or any other committee member.

Children can contact Childline on 0800 11 11 if they have any worries about something They’ve seen or experienced online.

Related policies and procedures

This policy should be read alongside our other club policies and procedures, including:

• safeguarding policy

• code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• anti-bullying policy

• diversity and inclusion policy

• Safe recruitment

• Changing rooms policy

This policy is reviewed every two years (or earlier if there is a change in national legislation).

Chairperson: Richard Handford      Date: December 2023

Welfare Officer:  Mary Walker        Date: December 2023