| Guidance for using Social Media There is a growing awareness of the increasing communication between adults and children and indeed their peers on social networking sites. There are risks associated with these developments and Swim England has identified a number of issues that have led to both disciplinary and safeguarding concerns stemming from the improper or inappropriate use of such sites by its members. Swim England recognises that the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and instant messaging tools such as WhatsApp, TikTok and Snapchat, continue to grow rapidly and are increasingly being used as the communication tools of choice by children.Increasingly, many sites provide a platform for uploading and viewing video clips, which with the latest cameras and mobile phones, becomes ever easier and can be instantaneous. More recent apps, such as Periscope, allow mobile phone users to stream content directly from their phones, bypassing some of the steps required in uploading videos to YouTube or to social networks such as Facebook.
Whilst the ever developing technologies provide exciting opportunities for our members, they are accompanied by dangers and negative consequences if abused by users.
It is important to note that misuse/abuse conducted on social media may result in a criminal investigation and members are encouraged to directly refer criminal activity to police. This also includes action between members while engaged in a Swim England activity and in those circumstances such action may also breach the Codes of Conduct or Codes of Ethics and result in disciplinary action.
If “out of sport” inappropriate social media activity emerges, members are encouraged to report this directly to the social media platform provider.
Guidance for Coaches, Teachers and Other Staff
As a coach, teacher or other employee or volunteer of the organisation, you should not be in contact with children through social networking sites if they are a member of the organisation you work for.
Should a child in your organisation request become “friends” via your personal social networking site, you should decline if:
Social networks should never be used as a medium by which to abuse or criticise members or Swim England organisations and to do so may be in breach of Swim England Regulation |
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