Central Gymnastics Academy

CENTRAL GYMNASTICS ACADEMY

Social Media Policy for Gymnasts, Coaches, Officials, Volunteers, Helpers 

The use of social media, chat rooms, text messaging and emails and is now a normal part of life for many people and businesses and is used for communication, entertainment and self-expression. 

To protect and safeguard our members and promote a positive image of Central Gymnastics Academy, we are committed to the safe, professional and legal use of social media. 

The purpose of this policy is to; 

  1. Ensure that the relationship between coaches / officials / volunteers / helpers and gymnasts remain professional at all times. 
  2. Protect gymnasts, coaches, parents and all persons associated with our Academy from allegations of inappropriate conduct and ensure they have clear guidelines for the use of social media and other communication methods.

Failure to adhere to this Social Media Policy will result in a disciplinary referral to the safeguarding officer and Head Coach and may lead to exclusion from the Academy and cancellation of membership.

Children and Young People under 18 years Old

Children and Young People under 18 years old must; 

  • Not post any remarks, photographs, or videos that are derogatory or inappropriate or could be disparaging or embarrassing to the Academy, its coaches, volunteers, members or other gymnastics club on any social media facility.
  • Not ask a coach, official, volunteer or helper to be your friend on a social networking site. They are in a position of trust and will be in breach of Club Guidelines and Code of Conduct if they accept the request.
  • Always remember that anything that is said or shared via social media, chat rooms, text messages, emails or other electronic communication including photographs, pictures and videos may be shared with people other than those whom it was intended for. Once something is posted / sent it is no longer in you control.
  • Never post or send photographs, comments or videos which may be hurtful, untrue or upsetting and you may regret sharing later on.
  • Not put pictures or names of other Academy members on personal sites which directly or indirectly mention Central Gymnastics Academy.
  • Never place a comment on the internet or via any other electronic communication that you would not say face to face to the individual concerned. To do so, you may not only be in breach of our Academy and Scottish Gymnastics Policy but also the law.
  • Adhere to this Social Media Policy and that of Scottish Gymnastics and British Gymnastics.

Coaches / Officials / Volunteers / Helpers 

Coaches / Officials / Volunteers / Helpers are in a position of trust and responsibility therefore must; 

  • Never have any gymnast under 18 years old, or an individual over 18 years old for whom they have responsibility for, as a friend or contact on their personal phone, social media or other electronic communication facility.
  • Never contact a gymnast under 18 years old or an individual over 18 years old for whom they have responsibility for, on their personal phone, social media or other electronic communication facility.
  • Decline any friend request made by any gymnast under the age of 18 years old or an individual over the age of 18 years old for whom they have responsibility for.
  • Not post any remarks, photographs, or videos that are derogatory or inappropriate or could be disparaging or embarrassing to the Academy, its coaches, volunteers, members or other gymnastics clubs on any social media facility.
  • Adhere to this Social Media Policy and that of Scottish Gymnastics and British Gymnastics.

Parents / Carers / Guardians  

Parents / Carers / Guardians must;  

  • Never communicate with a child, young person or protected adult under the age of 18 years old via social media, chat room or other electronic communication unless prior consent has been given by their parent, carer or guardian.
  • Decline any friend request from a child, young person or protected adult under the age of 18 years old made via social media, chat room or other electronic communication unless prior consent has been given by their parent, carer or guardian.
  • Not post any remarks, photographs, or videos that are derogatory or inappropriate or could be disparaging or embarrassing to the Academy, its coaches , volunteers, members or other gymnastics clubs, in any social media facility.
  • Not ask a coach, official, volunteer or helper to be your friend on a social networking site. They are in a position of trust and have a duty of care to your child and will therefore be in breach of Academy Guidelines and Code of Conduct if they accept the request.
  • Always remember that anything that is said or shared via social media, chat rooms, text messages, emails or other electronic communication including photographs, pictures and videos may be shared with people, other than for those whom it was intended. Once something is posted / sent it is no longer in you control.
  • Never post or send photographs, comments or videos which may be hurtful, untrue or upsetting and you may regret sharing later on.
  • Not put pictures or names of other Academy members on personal sites which directly or indirectly mention Central Gymnastics Academy.
  • Never place a comment on the internet or via any other electronic communication that you would not say to the individual concerned. To do so, you may not only be in breach of our Academy and Scottish Gymnastics Policy but also the law.
  • Adhere to this Social Media Policy and that of Scottish Gymnastics and British Gymnastics.

Note: Coaches should not be contacting individual gymnasts directly, either by means of messaging or on social media. All communications should be made through parents/guardians/carers

 

What to do if you have a concern 

As a user of social media, chat rooms and other electronic communication either as a child, young person or adult, you may at some time have a concerns regarding what you have seen or what you have been told by another user. This may range from abusive or negative comments and cyber bullying to suspected grooming for sexual abuse or exploitation.  

If you have a concern please contact the Safeguarding Officer or Head Coach immediately. 

The following is a list of agencies that you can contact for further information, advice or raise any concerns you may have anonymously; 

The Child Exploitation Online Protection (CEOP) Unit at www.ceop.gov.uk or by pressing the CEOP button on Facebook. 

Childline Scotland on 0800 1111 or www.childline.or.uk 

UK Safer Internet: 
www.saferinternet.org.uk 

Children 1st Child Protection in Sport Unit
Tel: 0141 418 5670 

The NSPCC Helpline on 0800 800 5000 or www.nspcc.org.uk or www.childnet.org.uk (NSPCC support service for young people). 

Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service – respectme at enquire@respectme.org.uk 

Stop It Now on 0808 1000 900 or www.stopitnow.org.uk 

Internet Safety on www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Reviewed 07/08/2023