Club policies.
Online Safety and Social Media Policy
Wapping HC and Wapping Kidds HC recognises the numerous benefits and opportunities which a social media presence offers. The club aims to build relationships and work with the members community to share news/information/successes. We will endeavour to use social media to engage appropriately with other areas that could benefit the club.
This policy provides guidance on how Wapping Hockey Club and Wapping Kidds Hockey Club uses the internet and social media. It’s essential that volunteers, members and players make informed decisions about how they use the internet, mobile phone and email communications to protect our club and our people.
Our approach is therefore to support members to engage with the social community, while providing appropriate guidance on best practice.
Aims
It is the aim of our online safety policies:
to protect all children and young persons involved with our club and who make use of technology (such as mobile phones, computer technology and the internet).
to provide members, staff and volunteers with policy and procedure information regarding online safety and inform them how to respond to incidents
To ensure Wapping Hockey Club and Wapping Kidds HC are operating in line with our values and within the law regarding how we behave online
For the purposes of this policy, social media is defined as any online interactive communication tool which encourages participation and exchanges. Common examples include; Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, Instagram, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, TikTok and Snapchat.
Responsibilities
Members are responsible for:
Knowing the contents of the policy and its procedures
Ensuring that any use of social media is carried out in line with this and other relevant policies
Informing the chairman/committee where the club account is to be used
Seeking relevant authorisation for official postings prior to publication
Regularly monitoring, updating and managing content posted via the club account
Ensuring that all members have read, understood and agreed to the code of conduct/acceptable use policy, before accessing and posting content via Wapping HC and Wapping Kidds HC social media account
Adding an appropriate disclaimer to personal accounts when naming the institution
Reporting any incidents in line with this policy
The Committee is responsible for
Addressing concerns or questions regarding posts or comments via official and personal accounts
Reporting outcomes to the committee members, or escalating the matter to involve appropriate agencies
Authorising posts, where designated
Behaviour
Wapping HC and Wapping Kidds HC requires that all member using social media adhere to the standard of behaviour as set out in this policy and other relevant policies.
Unacceptable conduct, (e.g. defamatory, discriminatory, offensive, harassing content or a breach of data protection, confidentiality, copyright) will be considered extremely seriously by the club and will be reported as soon as possible to a relevant Chairman/Committee, and escalated where appropriate. The club will take appropriate action when necessary.
Where conduct is found to be unacceptable, the club will deal with the matter internally.
Where conduct is considered illegal, the club will report the matter to the police and other relevant external agencies, and may take action according to the Disciplinary Policy.
Guidelines
The following general guidelines apply to members posting content via social media:
The Do’s
Check with a committee member before publishing content that may have controversial implications for the institution
Use a disclaimer when expressing personal views
Make it clear who is posting content
Use an appropriate tone
Be respectful to all parties
When communicating with young persons, ensure parents/guardians are copied into said communication
Ensure you have permission to ‘share’ other peoples’ materials and acknowledge the author
Express opinions but do so in a balanced and measured manner
Manage your social media presence on behalf of the club
Think before responding to comments and, when in doubt, get a second opinion
Set up a shadow system or buddy system i.e. a colleague who can edit/authorise/access posts
Seek advice and report any mistakes to the club committee
The Don’ts
Don’t make comments, post content or link to materials that will bring the club into disrepute
Don’t use the club’s logo/branding on personal accounts
Don’t publish confidential or commercially sensitive material
Don’t breach copyright, data protection or other relevant legislation
Consider the appropriateness of content given the age of readers, and don’t link to, embed or add potentially inappropriate content
Don’t post derogatory, defamatory, offensive, harassing or discriminatory content
Don’t use social media to air internal grievances
Don’t use social media to communicate with young persons
e-Safety
Wapping HC and Wapping Kidds HC takes e-safety and its duty of care seriously. The club will do all that it reasonably can to ensure that various online and working environments, including online forums, are safe for members.
Where members are working with younger and/or more vulnerable members, extra safeguards may be required such as a moderating content prior to publication. This aspect should always be considered and if in doubt refer to the club committee for advice.
