Part of the Dos and don'ts series – how to keep children and young people safe in sport.
A Person in a Position of Authority MUST NOT communicate directly (one to one) with a child or young person, either electronically or online (including phone calls) without the inclusion of a representative from the club or team and/or the child or young person’s parent or carer.
The exceptions are if they are: also an Approved Person for that child or young person; a medical practitioner or health professional.
Watch the use of electronic devices video
Do
When communicating with children and young people, a Person in a Position of Authority must ensure content is:
- directly associated with delivering the sport (for example, advising that a scheduled event is cancelled)
- concise with personal or social content limited only to convey the message in a polite and friendly manner
- free from any sexual language or references
- not promoting unauthorised social activity or contact.
Inform the parent/carer or the sporting organisation if a child or young person communicates with you outside your role. Also, remind children that adults are not allowed to directly communicate in this personal way.
Follow any additional social media guidelines or policies your organisation may have in place.
Don’t
- Befriend, follow or engage with a child or young person on social media.
- Communicate privately with a child or young person via phone, email or social media.
- Request or infer a child or young person keep online communication a secret from their parents/ carers or others.
- Use electronic communication to promote unauthorised ‘social’ activity or to arrange unauthorised contact.
- Use inappropriate language or language that is profane or sexual in nature.
- Use any device to record in change rooms, change areas or similar spaces. This includes voice recordings and any images on mobile phones, still cameras and video cameras.
