HRUFC Social Media Policy
Introduction
Members of Harlow Rugby Union Football Club enjoy the opportunities and rewards of a community-based sports club combined with affiliation to county and national rugby union associations. It is subsequently expected that members will uphold the ethos of the Club in all social media interactions. Members will not act in such a way that the image of Harlow Rugby Union Football Club is brought into disrepute nor in a way that harms it’s immediate and wider rugby community.
Purpose
With social media a prominent method of communication for the Club, where we can express opinions, and is a key way we engage with the members of our club, along with the wider community, it is important for us to have a policy to demonstrate how we ensure we are represented in a suitable way and can take action should the need arise. We are taking this opportunity to remind our members of the importance of ensuring that all our social networking streams should be used thoughtfully and responsibly.
Defining Social Media
We have a number of social media sources which we take advantage of: these are examples of what we currently use and does not constitute an exhaustive list:
There are many others which are not named here, but these should be considered to be electronic communication where individuals can interact online, be it within applications or on web pages, where the banner includes the Club’s name or branding, in part or in full.
Content
While the Club positively encourages social networking among members, we are mindful of the need to ensure that all content is suitable for publication and does not breach any laws or common decency. It is not acceptable to post, amongst others, items that may include reference to a person’s ethnic origin, colour, race, nationality, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disability, and any member found to have posted such items will be subject to disciplinary action. Comments of this nature may attract civil or criminal action against the author(s). In addition, any abuse of match officials, opposition etc may be deemed by the RFU to bring the game into disrepute and lead to disciplinary sanctions against both the author and/or the Club. Participants should be aware that comments which bring the game into disrepute, or are threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting, may lead to disciplinary action. Comments can also attract civil and criminal action: nearly 5,000 offences involving Facebook and Twitter were reported to police in 2012 and 653 people charged.
Cyber Bullying
All reports of cyber-bullying and other technology misuses will be investigated fully and may result in notification to the police where Harlow Rugby Club is obliged to do so. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, suspension, or banning from membership of Harlow Rugby Club. Members must be aware that in certain circumstances where a crime has been committed, they may be subject to a criminal investigation by the police over which Harlow Rugby Club will have no control.
General Guidance
These are public forums, so treat them as such.
Do’s and Don’ts
Follow the general guidelines above and:
Take down policy
Clubs are aware that they can be vicariously liable for material published by employees in the course of their employment, for example on an official website, Facebook site or Twitter feed, or published by employees outside work via a work email address or a work Twitter handle.
Clubs can also be liable for third party comments and postings made on any of their social media platforms.
We insist that:
Reporting
Any grievance, criticism or resentment should be directed in person to the individual or respective managers or coaches. Matters of a more serious or contentious nature should be discussed with the Club’s Executive Committee, via the Club secretary, by emailing Secretary@HarlowRugby.Club.
Use of the Club Badge
The Club would like to remind members that the Club badge should not be used by anyone without prior written request being made to HRUFC Executive Committee and approval given, via the Club secretary, by emailing Secretary@HarlowRugby.Club.
Safeguarding
In the same way that HRUFC has responsibility for the physical safety of Mini and Youth members when on the Club’s premises, HRUFC must also ensure that there is nothing on its website nor social media, which could harm a child, directly or indirectly. HRUFC is responsible for the content of its Website. Social media content, which can be posted by all members, will be moderated to ensure inappropriate content is removed.
When posting on social media there are two key risks to guard against:
Online Photos and video
Photos and video clips can make any child featured vulnerable to grooming if information about the child (name, address, activities or interests) is also disclosed. Furthermore, posting an image on social media carries a risk that the image could be taken and adapted for an inappropriate use.
RFU Recommendations:
HRUFC will abide by all RFU recommendations regarding photo and video images and will obtain consent from the appropriate responsible person(s) before using any images of children or vulnerable adults on its website. Consent request clauses are included in the registration form which is completed each season and are also held by the club age group administrators.
Webcams and Live Image Streams
HRUFC will not use webcams to stream live images of children or vulnerable adults and if use of a webcam to broadcast images of children or vulnerable adults is requested, the Safeguarding Officer at HRUFC will contact the RFU for further guidance before permission is granted.
Mobile and Online Communication with Children
Technology is moving very fast in this area. There are now many different ways for people to communicate. In addition to landlines, there are mobile phones for voice and text, and most new phones incorporate cameras that take still shots and video. Two-way video calling is commonplace. Online communication can be by email, instant messaging and social networking sites.
The risks posed by such methods of communication arise from:
In sport, there are additional risks:
Against this background, HRUFC will abide by all RFU guidance with regard to mobile and online communication with children and vulnerable adults and will cascade any information for them to the parents (or carer) of that child or vulnerable adult. HRUFC will not directly contact a child or vulnerable adult directly by mobile phone unless prior consent is given by the parent or carer.
Club Guidelines:
Twitter can be used for broadcasting information but must not be used for 1-1 (Direct) Messaging between Adults and Young People. Content must conform to the Website and Message Board policy above
Facebook. Communication via Facebook is permitted only via public club Facebook pages where the content is public and conforms to the Website and Message Board policy above. Private, closed groups and 1-1 messaging between Coaches and Young People must have the permission of the club
Other online and social media services whether public or private are not permitted. Requests to add other services to the approved list should be directed to the Club Safeguarding Officer.
SMS Messaging (Texting): Club Officials and Coaches should only communicate directly with individual children by text at any time, on any matter, if the parent or carer is copied on such communication or there is an immediate risk to the welfare of that child which can be lessened by such contact.
Telephone: When communication by phone is needed, Club Officials and Coaches can speak to individual young people on phones provided they have prior consent from the child’s parents or carer and from the young person if old enough to understand.
Sanctions
Any club member failing foul of this policy could face disciplinary action from the Club, which could lead to expulsion from the Club.
References:
RFU Guidance http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/club-support/promoting-your-club/social-media-for-clubs/#
Author(s):
Original: Paul Eynon, October 2017.
Updated: Tracey Wedd & Alan Price, August 2018.