APPENDIX D - ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION POLICY
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media makes it easy to share ideas and experiences . The U . S . All Star Federation recognizes , however , that social media , mobile and other electronic communications can be especially concerning where minor participants are involved . It is strongly recommended that owners , coaches and other adult members of the All Star community are not joined to or connected through their personal Facebook page or any other similar social media application . To facilitate communication , an official organization or team page may be set up and participants and parents may join ( i . e ., “ friend ”, “ follow ” or “ like ”) the official organization or team page and coaches can communicate to participants though that site . All electronic communication of any kind between coach and participant , including use of social media , must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team oriented motivational purposes .
Personal Social Media Sites An adult affiliated with a program may have a personal social media page or site , with the following restrictions regarding athletes :
1 . May not invite or allow an athlete to “ friend ” or join a personal social media site or similar online community that is not observable or open to the minor ’ s parent as well . 2 . May not “ private ” or “ instant ” message athletes . 3 . Must inform parents and athletes that the above is not permitted . 4 . It is recommended that adults make their pages
“ private ” to restrict athlete access . 5 . Social media accounts that allow an athlete to “ friend ” or “ follow ” or have no privacy restrictions may only have posts that are appropriate for minors to view .
EMAIL , TEXT MESSAGING AND SIMILAR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Owners , coaches , team parents and participants may use email and text messaging to communicate . All email and text message content between coaches / team parents and participants must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities . Emails and text messages from a coach to any minor participant that are not related team activities must include a copy to the participant ’ s parents . Where possible , a coach should be provided and use the organization website email center ( the coach ’ s return email address will contain “@ organization . com ”) for all communications with the team , participants , and participants ’ parents , where applicable .
Request to Discontinue all Electronic Communications or Imagery with Athlete Following receipt of a written request by the parents of a minor participant that their child not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by coaches or other adults in the program , the program , team , coaches and administrators shall immediately comply with such request without any repercussions for such request .
Any adult member may not directly message a minor athlete participant unless the minor athlete is a member of their program . All contact must be initiated to the parent , adult owner or adult coach .
Abuse and Misconduct Social media and other means of electronic communication can be used to commit abuse and misconduct ( e . g ., emotional , sexual , bullying , harassment , and hazing ). Such communications by any employee , volunteer , independent contractor or other participant of a U . S . All Star Federation member program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of U . S . All Star Federation ’ s SafeSport Program .
Reporting infractions of U . S . All Star Federation ’ s Electronic Communications Policy should be reported to the appropriate person as described in the Professional Responsibility Code V8.0 .
A U . S . All Star Federation participant or parent of a participant who violates this Electronic Communications Policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension , permanent suspension and / or referral to law enforcement authorities .
All content must adhere to the U . S . All Star Federation Code of Conduct and the Professional Responsibility Code V8.0 regarding the protection of athletes . Non-Compliance with the Professional Responsibility Code is subject to disciplinary hearing and potential penalties .
The following four points are defined as definitively inappropriate conduct . Any communication with an athlete , either verbal or electronic may not involve or relate to any of the following : 1 . Inappropriate or sexually explicit photos . 2 . Sexual innuendos , sexual conversation , explicit language or sexual activity . 3 . Drug or alcohol use . 4 . The adult should not relay information about their personal life or social life outside of the professional environment or discuss relationships or personal problems .
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