Safeguarding Online
The online world is a good place and we can all benefit from it when used appropriately.
The FA encourages the appropriate use of social media to help run your teams and leagues, communicate with players (via their parents/carers when under-16) and appoint referees, and much more!
Whatever way we communicate with children the safeguarding principles remain the same. Retaining boundaries is just as important online as it is offline. Remember we all create our own digital footprint every time we post comments, photos and videos. Be sure before you post. If you wouldn't say or do something face-to-face - then don't do it online.
If you have a role in football then always make sure communications to children are relevant to your role - focus on the football, don't share personal info or comments.
The following Organisations offer advice and guidance on staying online. They include:
Children/young people should be advised to always tell an adult they trust about communications that make them feel uncomfortable or where they've been asked not to tell their parent/carer about the communication. Always report any inappropriate communications you receive from a child.
Visit our Safeguarding and Welfare page to find out more information on Safeguarding and Welfare in the county.
Take a look at The FA's Guidance documents on 'Safeguarding in the Digital World' at the foot of the page.