IHUK SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

The Ice Hockey UK social media policy covers all social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, MySpace and any other current or future applications that fall under the category of social media.

The policy refers to all players of Great Britain national sides at all ages levels and also includes coaching staff, team managers and off-ice staff.

Much of this social media policy is designed with Twitter in mind, but it is important to remember that the public can view other prominent social media applications too.

Social media is a great tool for keeping in touch with the supporters and it brings them closer to you. Whenever you are using social media you are representing your Great Britain national side and Ice Hockey UK.

This is not designed to stop GB ice hockey personnel using social media, rather bring to attention the pitfalls and dangers of reckless and careless use.

Ice Hockey UK encourages positive social media use and feel it is a great way to communicate with supporters, especially during an international tournament, but GB personnel must be responsible for their comments at all times.

This is especially important during tournaments when interest from supporters and the media is more intense, but don’t forget they can see your comments throughout the year.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS
– Remember what you write can be seen, in most cases, by the public on social media. This is especially true on Twitter where the majority of users have no control over who follows them.

– Take responsibility for your comments. You are personally responsible for your comments and in some cases potentially legally liable. There have been some high-profile cases where social media users have been sued for comments.

– On Twitter, this does not just apply to personal tweets but retweeting as well. Think before you retweet and the implications of what another user is saying. By retweeting a comment you could be seen to be endorsing it.

– Respect your audience. All social media postings should be professional, accurate and should reflect well on you as a person and a GB player. Do not be afraid to be yourself, but do so in a respectful manner.

– Everything you write can be captured and archived in an instant, so think before you post. It only takes a few seconds for someone to take a screenshot of your post. So even if you delete it, someone may have it and it will still be in the public domain.

– Every comment can be scrutinised and maybe taken out of context, so think before you post and make sure you are comfortable with the public reading the comment you are about to post.

– Even when you have conversations to one generic user – a close friend for example – the public can check your timeline and view the full conversations. It is easy to get carried away when having a one-to-one social media conversation with a friend, so be careful what you say and what you reveal.

– Remember you are followed all-year round on social media and not just at major international tournaments. Don’t let your guard down just because you are on holiday somewhere.

SOCIAL MEDIA RULES
To uphold the good name of Great Britain ice hockey and Ice Hockey UK across the world, there are a number of social media guidelines IHUK have introduced that players and staff must adhere to:

– Your social media communications should make clear that your comments are solely yours and they do not represent the views of the team or the Ice Hockey UK organisation.

– Do not post on social media platforms from one hour before a game to half an hour after a game.

– Do not criticise or make reference to game officials, or comment on their performance, whether it be good or bad.

– Do not criticise tournament organisers, or personnel from an opposing team.

– Do not reveal team selection or tactics. Think before posting a picture and to whether it might have implications on revealing team tactics/line-up.

– Do not get involved in hostile conversation with other social media users.

– Do not use profanity or words/terms that cold be interpreted as racist, sexist or prejudice.

Any GB personnel deemed to be breaking these guidelines can be subject to internal discipline.

Social media activity is encouraged throughout a tournament, but your team management and coaching staff do reserve the right impose a ban on social media posting should they deem this necessary.

If you have any queries about the social media guidelines, or want some further guidance, contact Ice Hockey UK’s media officer Chris Ellis via media@icehockeyuk.co.uk.


The use of social media and indecent images. Don’t suffer in silence

We have growing concerns that in our sport people are using social media and mobiles phones in ways which could lead to our young people being criminalised. The sending of indecent images over the internet or through texting is illegal. People caught doing so can and will be prosecuted.

We currently have a police investigation going on in which it has been highlighted that the use of social media and texting has been used in a negative and abusive manner. We have also been made aware that indecent images being requested and distributed around our sport. This practice is totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned.

If you or any of your friends and colleagues have been approached with requests to send images or you have felt pressured into sending images we need you to report this immediately.

Please do not feel guilty or embarrassed about coming forward we are here to support you. You will not be in trouble and we will not be advertising your details anywhere or discussing your personal details with anyone you would not wish us to.

If you know of someone who has been put in the position of having to send images or is receiving abusive or offensive texts or images you can also call or email us on the number below.

We would request that you inform us either through your club child protection officer, your coach or manager or alternatively you could contact the Safeguarding help line,

There is always someone at the end of the line waiting to speak with you if you need it.

Useful numbers and emails
– UK Ice Hockey Safeguarding Helpline number 07546 983700. Email safeguarding@eiha.co.uk
– Childline. Call free on 0800 1111. Website www.childline.org.uk