This Policy should be read in conjunction with the AFL Barwon Cyber Safety Policy and the Geelong Cricket Association Handbook (By Law 5 Harassment Policy).

This document applies to all members of the Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club includ- ing Sporting members, Social members, Gaming members and Volunteers; members of visiting clubs and members of the general public.

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to articulate Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club’s approach and expectations in relation to Social Media and it’s related procedures. This policy has been developed to inform our community about using social media so people feel enabled to participate, while being mindful of their responsibilities and obliga- tions.

Overview: Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club has a responsibility to provide and main- tain a safe physical and emotional environment for all players, officials, volunteers, sup- porters, umpires and club visitors.

The Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club acknowledges that the internet and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can provide great benefit to all users, and assist in the effective operation of the club. However, Cyber Safety issues have the potential to have a negative impact on all concerned.

Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club places a high priority on the acceptable use of ICT platforms that will benefit our members.

Electronic communication is essential in sharing club news, events and information with our members. Our communication will:

• be timely, appropriate and related to club business
• protect our members’ privacy
• maintain clear objectives and boundaries
• ensure that bullying and harassment does not occur.

Roles and Responsibilities: Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club will:

• ensure this Policy statement is placed on the club’s website

• advise members of this Policy, where to find it, and ask them to read the Policy before using any of our platforms

  This Social Media Policy applies to platforms including, but not limited to:

  • Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club website
  • Social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc)
  • Video and photo sharing websites or apps (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, etc)
  • Instant messaging (e.g. SMS, WhatsApp, etc)
  • Any other online technologies that allow individual users to upload and share content

Guidelines: All members must adhere to the following guidelines when using social media related to Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club or its business, products, competitions, teams, participants, services, events, sponsors, members or reputation:

• We treat all social media postings, status updates, stories and tweets as public ‘com- ment’ .

• Postings (written, photos or videos) will be family-friendly and gender inclusive and fea- ture positive club news and events.

• Whenever you are unsure as to whether or not the content you wish to share is appro- priate, seek advice from others before doing so or refrain from sharing the content to be on the safe side.

• Be smart about protecting yourself and your privacy.

• Do not post anything that is dishonest, untrue or misleading. If you are unsure, check

  the source and the facts before uploading or posting anything.

• The web is not anonymous. You should assume that all information posted online can be traced back to you.

• When using social media, you must maintain the privacy of Bell Park Sport and Recre- ation Club’s confidential information.

• Parental or guardian consent is mandatory when posting information/images of children.

• You must not post any material that is offensive, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, em-

  barrassing, intimidating, sexually explicit, hateful, racist, sexist or otherwise inappropri- ate.

  Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Cyberbullying may include, but is not limited to, the fol- lowing misuses of technology:

• Harassing, teasing, intimidating, racially vilifying or threatening another registered mem- ber by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, phone messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings, irre- spective of whether the post or message could be viewed by the wider public

• Sending, receiving and/or possessing naked and sexually explicit images of a registered member or a person, including ‘sexting’ where the image is of a person under the age of 18 years.