Social Media Policy

Prepared for: Noble Park Football Club
Date: Feb 2017
Review Annually:

PURPOSE
1.To ensure that all members and associates of the club understand the club rules on the appropriate use of its social media and the consequences of inappropriate use.

2. To set standards of behaviour for the use of Social Media that are consistent with the broader values and expectations of the community.

The Club expects those who are part of our Club, when using Social Media, to show courtesy and respect to others, including those within our Club and the wider community. Social Media should not be used to abuse others, expose them to offensive or inappropriate content or to denigrate or show disrespect for the Club.

POLICY
The Noble Park Football Club will develop and maintain rigorous and effective Cybersafety practices which aim to maximise the benefits of the Internet and allow for the effective operation of the club, whilst minimising and managing any risks.

The club name, motto, crest, logo and/or uniform must not be used in any way, which would result in a negative impact for the league or club and its members.
Members of the Noble park Football Club have a responsibility to ensure that all online communications are in keeping with the leagues/ club and wider communities expectations in relation to appropriate and respectful interactions with officials, coaches, umpires, players, parents, spectators and sponsors.

Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology:
Harassing
Teasing,
Intimidating,
Racially vilifying or threatening another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages,
Instant messages, text messages, phone messages,
Digital pictures or images, or Web site postings (including social network sites eg facebook or blogs) and the sending, receiving and/or possession of naked or sexually explicit images of a person.

Club members must also be aware that postings from their individual accounts, whether done by themselves or another person will remain the responsibility of the account owner.
All members must be aware that in certain circumstances where a crime has been committed, they may also be subjected to a criminal investigation by Police over which the club will have no control. This particularly applies to ‘sexting’ where the image is of a person under the age of 18 years whereby Police will be informed immediately a club becomes aware of the situation.

Procedure

Noble Park football Club members who feel that they have been the victims of such misuses of technology should save and store the offending material on their computer, mobile phone or other device.
They should then print a copy of the material and immediately report the incident to the relevant club representative. (Complaints officer)
All reports of cyberbullying and other technology misuses will be investigated fully in accordance with the clubs complaints procedures and may result in a notification to Police where the club is legally obliged to do so.
If the clubs executive receives a complaint about an online issue from outside of the club, the allegations will be forwarded to the relevant Investigation Officer.

Penalties
Any / all penalties will be by the discretion of the disciplinary board