Introduction

What is social media?
Social media is the term given to web-based tools and applications which enable users to create and share content (words, images and video content), and network with each other through the sharing of information, opinions, knowledge and common interests. Examples of social media include Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, Tik Tok, Instagram and What’s App.

Why do we use social media?
Social media is essential to the success of communicating Bessingby Park Rangers FC. It is important to participate in social media to engage with our audience, participate in relevant conversations and raise the profile of Bessingby Park Rangers FC.

Why do we need a social media policy?
The difference between a personal and professional opinion can be blurred on social media, particularly if you’re discussing issues relating to Bessingby Park Rangers FC. While we encourage the use of social media, we have certain standards, outlined in this policy, which we require everyone to observe. Publication and commentary on social media carries similar obligations to any other kind of publication or commentary in the public domain.

This policy is intended for all coaches, players, committee members, and volunteers and applies to content posted on both a Bessingby Park Rangers FC device and a personal device. Before engaging in BPR related social media activity, everyone must read this policy.

Setting out the social media policy
This policy sets out guidelines on how social media should be used to support the delivery and promotion of Bessingby Park Rangers FC, and the use of social media by everyone in both a professional and personal capacity. It sets out what you need to be aware of when interacting in these spaces and is designed to help everyone support and expand our official social media channels, while protecting BPR and its reputation and preventing any legal issues.

Point of contact for social media
Our Social Committee Member, Lee Collett, is responsible for the day-to-day, monitoring and management of our social media channels and is responsible for the day-to-day publishing of posts. If you have specific questions about any aspect of these channels, speak to Lee. No one else can post content on Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s official channels without the permission of Lee Collett.

Which social media channels do we use?

Bessingby Park Rangers FC uses the following social media channels:

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Youtube

We use all of our social media channels to connect with our players (aged between 5 – adult male and female) coaches, volunteers, Local council, corporate partners, local and the wider football community. Our channels are used to promote our work, raise awareness and encourage our target groups to get involved and support Bessingby Park Rangers FC.

Guidelines
Using ‘s social media channels — appropriate conduct

1. Lee Collett is responsible for setting up and managing Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s social media channels. Only those authorised to do so by Lee will have access to these accounts.

2. Being an ambassador for our brand. Everyone should ensure they reflect Bessingby Park Rangers FC values in what they post and use our tone of voice. Our brand guidelines set out our tone of voice that everyone should refer to when posting content on Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s social media channels.

3. Make sure that all social media content has a purpose and a benefit for Bessingby Park Rangers FC, and accurately reflects Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s agreed position.

4. Bring value to our audience(s). Answer their questions, help and engage with them

5. Take care with the presentation of content. Make sure that there are no typos, misspellings or grammatical errors. Also check the quality of images.

6. Always pause and think before posting. That said, reply to comments in a timely manner, when a response is appropriate.

7. If posting videos or photos that clearly identify a child or young person, you must ensure you have the consent of a parent or guardian before using them on social media.

8. Always check facts. You should not automatically assume that material is accurate and should take reasonable steps where necessary to seek verification, for example, by checking data/statistics and being wary of photo manipulation.

9. Be honest. Say what you know to be true or have a good source for. If you’ve made a mistake, don’t be afraid to admit it.

10. It is vital that Bessingby Park Rangers FC does not encourage others to risk their personal safety or that of others, to gather materials. For example, a video of a stunt.

11. You should not set up other Facebook groups or pages, Twitter accounts or any other social media channels on behalf of Bessingby Park Rangers FC unless they are instructed to. This could confuse messaging and brand awareness. By having official social media accounts in place, Lee can ensure consistency of the brand and focus on building a strong following.

12. Bessingby Park Rangers FC is not a political organisation and does not hold a view on party politics or have any affiliation with or links to political parties. We have every right to express views on policy, including the policies of parties, but we can’t tell people how to vote or discriminate against people on how they vote.

13. If a complaint is made on Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s social media channels, seek advice from Lee Collett before responding. If they are not available, then speak to the Chairman, Fiona Donoghue.

If anyone becomes aware of any comments online that you think has the potential to escalate into a crisis, whether on Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s social media channels or elsewhere, they should speak to the Lee Collett / Fiona Donoghue immediately.

Use of personal social media accounts – appropriate conduct

This policy does not intend to inhibit personal use of social media but instead flags up those areas in which conflicts might arise. You are expected to behave appropriately, and in ways that are consistent with Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s values and policies, both online and in real life.

1. Be aware that any information you make public could affect how people perceive Bessingby Park Rangers FC. You must make it clear when you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of Bessingby Park Rangers FC. If you are using your personal social media accounts to promote and talk about Bessingby Park Rangers FC ‘s, you must use a disclaimer such as: “The views expressed on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s positions, policies or opinions.”

2. Use common sense and good judgement. Be aware of your association with Bessingby Park Rangers FC and ensure your profile and related content is consistent with how you wish to present yourself to the general public.

3. Never use Bessingby Park Rangers FC’s logos or trademarks unless approved to do so. Permission to use logos should be requested from the Chairman, Fiona Donoghue.

Further guidelines
Libel
Libel is when a false written statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation is published online or in print. Whether you are posting content on social media as part of your role at BPR or in a personal capacity, they should not bring Bessingby Park Rangers FC into disrepute by making defamatory comments about individuals or other organisations or groups.

Copyright law
It is critical that everyone abides by the laws governing copyright, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Never use or adapt someone else’s images or written content without permission. Failing to acknowledge the source/author/resource citation, where permission has been given to reproduce content, is also considered a breach of copyright.

Confidentiality
Any communications that anyone makes in a personal capacity must not breach confidentiality. For example, information meant for internal use only or information that Bessingby Park Rangers FC is not ready to disclose yet. For example, a news story that is embargoed for a particular date.

Discrimination and harassment
You should not post content that could be considered discriminatory against, or bullying or harassment of, any individual, on either an official Bessingby Park Rangers FC social media channel or a personal account. For example:

· making offensive or derogatory comments relating to sex, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief

· using social media to bully another individual

· posting images that are discriminatory or offensive or links to such content

Protection and intervention

The responsibility for measures of protection and intervention lies first with the social networking site itself. Different social networking sites offer different models of interventions in different areas. For more information, refer to the guidance available on the social networking site itself. For example, Facebook. However, if you considers that a person/people is/are at risk of harm, they should report this to the Lee Collett / Fiona Donoghue immediately.

Under 18s and vulnerable people
Young and vulnerable people face risks when using social networking sites. They may be at risk of being bullied, publishing sensitive and personal information on their profiles, or from becoming targets for online grooming.

Where known, when communicating with young people under 18-years-old via social media, you should ensure the online relationship with Bessingby Park Rangers FC follows the same rules as the offline ‘real-life’ relationship. Evryone should ensure that young people have been made aware of the risks of communicating and sharing information online, and given guidance on security/privacy settings as necessary. You should also ensure that the site itself is suitable for the young person and Bessingby Park Rangers FC content and other content is appropriate for them.

Responsibilities and breach of policy
Everyone is responsible for their own compliance with this policy. Participation in social media on behalf of Bessingby Park Rangers FC is not a right but an opportunity, so it must be treated seriously and with respect, breaches of policy may incur disciplinary action, depending on the severity of the issue.