LVAC Online Safety and Social Media Policy

Mar 6, 2026

This policy has been developed to inform our club members about using social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram and all other social networking sites and forums) so people feel enabled to participate, while being mindful of their responsibilities and obligations. In particular, this policy provides practical guidance allowing all parties to benefit from the use of social media, while minimising potential risks and protecting those involved.

Lagan Valley AC strives to promote inclusivity, respect, and a positive environment for all its members and we recognise the positive impact social media and online platforms can have in promoting this ethos, both on the clubs’ own platforms and those of our members.

 

LVAC APPROVED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

https://laganvalleyac.co.uk/

  • Lagan Valley AC Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/laganvalleyac?igsh=eDFleHBpZWJlYTFp

 

Any other platforms other than the above are not official Lagan Valley AC accounts. If a club member wishes to promote a platform as such they must consult with the club committee.

 

 

MANAGING THE CLUBS ONLINE PRESENCE

 

Our online presence through our website or social media platforms will adhere to the following guidelines:

 

  • All Club social media accounts will be password-protected
  • All club social media platforms should be reviewed and authorised by the Club Committee. A list of club authorised platforms / accounts should be available.
  • The account will be monitored by at least two designated volunteers in order to provide transparency, who will have been appointed by the organisations committee
  • We’ll make sure all club members are aware of who manages our social media accounts and who to contact if they have any concerns about something that’s happened online.
  • Identifying details such as a club members home address, school name or telephone number shouldn’t be posted on social media platforms
  • Any posts or correspondence will be consistent with our aims and tone as a club
  • Permission for photographs or videos should be given before posting on social media.
  • Parents will be asked to give their approval for us to communicate with their children through social media, via video conferencing platforms or by any other means of communicatio
  • parents should be copied into any messages their children are sent by the club.
  • all communications from the club with children should be open, transparent and appropriate.
  • messages should only be sent to communicate details of club activities such as training meeting points, training schedules, event details, competition results, club news, etc. The same standard
  • message should be sent to every member of the group/team.
  • It should always be clear that it is the club who is communicating information – one-to-one messaging arrangements between volunteers/staff and children is not permitted and would breach the UKA safeguarding policy and various codes of conduct.
  • Ensure club members are complying with the UKA Social Media and Digital Guidelines for staff and volunteers, and the guidance on the safe use of activity tracker apps.

ONLINE BEHAVIOURS

 

The code of conducts state the expected behavioural standards, this includes behaviour on social media.  Here is some specific do’s and donts to consider before posting on social media:

  • Pause and think about what you are saying and the impact it might have
  • Be careful, respectful and positive. You are personally responsible for what you post. If in doubt, don’t post it.
  • Think about your image – ‘what do I want people to think about me or my club?’
  • Consider who you are interacting with – you will likely come into contact online with under 18s. Familiarise yourself with safeguarding regulations in relation to engaging with under 18s.
  • Respect confidentiality within the team e.g. tactics, squad information, announcements, coaching advice, training sessions.
  • Remember many different audiences will see your posts including Club members, potential members, children, member’s relatives, and friends.

 

  • Be smart about protecting yourself, your privacy, and confidential information. What you publish is widely accessible and will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully and your privacy settings.
  • Don’t post content that discriminates against individuals or groups on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.
  • Don’t write anything on social media channels that you wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing in a newspaper or hearing on TV. Everything you write is treated as a direct quote i.e. ‘Don’t tweet what you wouldn’t say to your mum/gran’ or ‘Think before you tweet’ or ‘Would I say this face to face with someone?
  • Don’t speak negatively about other club members, competitors, officials or governing bodies. Never use slurs, personal insults or obscenity. Be professional and respectful.
  • Be in the right state of mind when you make a post. Don’t post when you’re angry, upset, or your judgement is impaired in any way. Be very careful what you say, do and post because once it’s on a social media channel, it can go viral very quickly.

 

  • Don’t engage in on-line disputes and don’t allow family or friends to argue on your behalf.

 

 

LVAC CLUB MEMBER SOCIAL MEDIA CODE OF CONDUCT

Individuals involved in the sport in a number of roles are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the relevant codes of conducts.

 

Roles which have a specific code of conduct

include:

  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Team Managers
  • Parents
  • Officials
  • Volunteers

Lagan Valley AC understand we have to acknowledge that people have a right to freedom of speech. It is essential in a free, democratic and tolerant society that people are able to exchange views, even when these may cause offence.

However, we also have to balance the rights of an individual to freedom of speech and expression against our duty as a club to act proportionately in the interests of our members welfare and our safeguarding of this.

 

Lagan Valley respects all our member’s right to a private life. However, the Club must also ensure that confidentiality and its reputation are protected at all times.

 

  • Members of the club should not make comment on controversial

issues with which they have a connection in their role at the club as it may be taken as a statement indicating the position of Lagan Valley AC.

 

Any communications that club members make in a personal capacity through social media must

not:

 

  • Bring the club into disrepute, for example, by:

– making defamatory comments about individuals or other organisations or groups;

– posting images that are inappropriate or links to inappropriate content;

– being seen to support (for example by „liking‟ on Facebook or retweeting on Twitter) a comment or post that would fall into any of the above categories (note: a comment may be retweeted purely to make people aware of it but this may be misconstrued as showing support for the statement retweeted).

 

  • Breach confidentiality, for example by: Giving away information about an individual (such as a fellow volunteer or athlete) or organisation
  • revealing information held by the club where there would be reasonable expectation of confidentiality;

 

  • Do anything that could be considered discriminatory against, or bullying or harassment of, any individual, for example by: – making offensive or derogatory comments relating to sex, gender reassignment, race (including nationality), disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief or age;

 

  • Do not use social media to bully another individual; or post images that are discriminatory or offensive.

 

 

  • No comment should ever be made about an individual or subject that:

– exposes someone to hatred, ridicule or contempt

– causes them to be shunned or avoided

– lowers them in the estimation of reasonable members of society

– disparages them in their office, profession or trade.

 

  • Must not appear in club kit or identify themselves as club members on their platform if any of the above points are breached.

 

 

REPORTING CONCERNS & DISCIPLINARY ACTION

We strongly advocate for the responsible and constructive use of social media, ensuring that interactions remain respectful and inclusive. Any behaviour online that could be considered disrespectful, discriminatory, or detrimental to the reputation of individuals or the sport will not be tolerated.

 

Members should note that any breaches of this guidance may lead to disciplinary action.

 

Serious breaches that could cause serious damage to the club and its reputation may lead to club membership being terminated.

 

Note also codes of conduct for roles including coaches, athletes, officials, parents and team managers are published by UKA. Breach of these codes of conducts, including in the use of social media, may also result in disciplinary proceedings by UKA and/ or Athletics NI.

 

As a user of a social networking site, you may at some time have a concern about what you are seeing or being told about by another user. Concerns may range from negative or abusive comments, and cyber bullying to suspected grooming. If you have any such concerns, you should contact your Club’s Welfare officer in the first instance for guidance.

 

  • Lagan Valley AC Welfare Officer – Jacqueline Murtagh

 

For matters relating to inappropriate contact with Under 18‟s, in line with procedures in the sport, these should be reported to the Lead Safeguarding Officer for the sport of athletics:

 

 

 

USEFUL LINKS

 

 

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