Chapter 2 - Safety and Policies
In recent years, electronic communication and social media platforms have become increasingly popular. While these tools provide many benefits, they also present the potential for inappropriate behavior, increased access to vulnerable children, and privacy violations. Employees, volunteers, and children participating in this organization’s programs, events, and activities shall adhere to the following Social Media Code of Conduct
Do not engage in behavior or comments that are, or could be construed by any observer to be, harsh, abusive, coercive, threatening, intimidating, shaming, derogatory, demeaning, or humiliating.
Do not engage in personal attacks, sexually oriented conversations, or discussions about sexual activity.
.Be a positive role model by exhibiting professionalism in all interactions; portray an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity.
Only program-related messaging may be communicated electronically between employees and volunteers of the organization and children, parents, and guardians. Such communication should generally occur during standard business hours.
Employees and volunteers are prohibited from sending private messages to children and/or replying to private messages from a child. If a child attempts to privately communicate with an employee or volunteer electronically, their supervisor must be notified immediately.
Personal social networking profiles and/or blogs of employees and volunteers shall be private and not shared with children. Employees and volunteers with profiles on social networking sites shall not request to be “friends” with or follow children or approve friend or follow requests from children.
Employees and volunteers may not engage in electronic communication or social media contact with other family members or friends of children.
Never reveal sensitive or confidential information, including identifiable details or photos of a child without written consent from their parent or legal guardian.
Employees and volunteers may not post or share on their personal social media accounts any photographs or videos of children participating in the organization’s programs.
Employees and volunteers may not post or share inappropriate photos or comments on photos of children.
Do not make pornography in any form available to children participating in the organization’s programs, events, and activities or assist children in any way in gaining access to pornography.
Employees and volunteers may not create web pages on behalf of the organization unless they have prior approval to do so and may not misrepresent their work with the organization or the organization itself.
Employees and volunteers engaging in social media and online communication become a public figure associated with the organization and are responsible to help protect the organization and its children. Always act in a professional and constructive manner and use sound judgement before posting or sharing content.
Rather than personally defend the organization’s reputation, employees and volunteers should notify their supervisor or an administrator of a negative comment or online representation or if any member of the media contacts them about any matter related to the organization.
Employees and volunteers must adhere to uniform standards of electronic communication and social media use as outlined in any applicable organizational policies and procedures.
This Code of Conduct and associated policies and procedures shall be provided to parents/guardians of children. It shall also be available on the organization’s website for public view.
Children and Parents/guardians may request in writing that a child not be contacted through any form of electronic communication or social media by an employee or volunteer of the organization.