SKYE & LOCHALSH COMMUNITY CARE FORUM SCIO (S&LCCF)
Policy and guidelines regarding the use of social media and our work with young carers
1. Social media sites
Social media are websites and other online tools that allow people to communicate and share information. Usually a user creates a profile, which contains information about themselves often including photographs, and/or videos, sometimes covering their opinions and views and often articulating information about what is going on in their life and what they are doing. This information is then shared with anyone who has access to their site depending upon the privacy settings that they have chosen to set. Facilities exist for information to be shared immediately, quite literally as the person is doing it.
Anyone with an internet connection, using a PC, laptop, tablet PC, games console, smart phone, portable media player and other devices, can access social networking sites and the wider web. Some mobile phones and other devices allow for photographs and video clips to be uploaded onto the internet in the same way that can be done via a computer.
2. The risks associated with the internet
Ø exposure to inappropriate advertising and marketing.
Ø exposure to material and images that are not illegal but are unsuitable for children or could cause them distress, for example material of a violent, racist or sexual nature.
Ø inappropriate use by others to intimidate, threaten and bully by the posting of images and written content about them. This is known as cyber bullying.
Ø a relatively small but significant number of children and young people have suffered sexual abuse as a result of being targeted by sexual predators through their use of the internet.
3. Guidelines for volunteers and staff
Ø S&LCCF prohibits adults communicating via social media sites with children or young adults with whom they have a professional relationship.
Ø S&LCCF prohibits the exchange of text messaging and sending of photographs, images and videos from communication devices personally owned by staff or volunteers.
4. Volunteers and staff – dos and don’ts
Some simple tips for volunteers and staff to consider when posting information on the Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers’ website that young carers have access to or when communicating directly with children and young people via electronic devices e.g. mobile phone, computer (email).
Do keep the content of the communication focused on Young Carer Service activity. Do not make enquiries about the child’s private life or share the details of your private activities.
Do not seek personal information from young people that is not directly relevant to their engagement with the Young Carer Service.
Do not use webcams – you don’t need to see each other to communicate. The exception is when this is part of a defined Young Carer Service education project.
Do ensure that the content of your communication is appropriate for children and young people, for example don’t talk about getting drunk or ‘chatting somebody up’.
Similarly do not post images or pictures that may be inappropriate for children or which could cause them distress.
Never make suggestive or flirtatious comments to children and young people; never use phrases that could be misconstrued or have sexual connotations.
Never swear or use abusive, derogatory, racist or inflammatory language.
Never arrange to meet with a child unless this is part of a Young Carer Service activity which the child’s parents or carers are aware of and have given consent that their child should take part in.
Do not post photographs of children on social media sites unless it is going to be or already is in the public media and parental and young carer consent has been obtained.
Do notify your line manager immediately if you suspect a young person is acting inappropriately towards you online.
5.2 Online friendships with young carers and young volunteers
Generally adults and children do not have friendships based on an equal footing that is mutually reciprocal. Of course this is not absolute and some young adults may form reciprocal friendships with older children no doubt, in part, because the differences in age are small. Equally, friendships between adults and children exist within family networks.
No member of staff or volunteer is to become a social media friend to a young carer. In addition no member of staff or volunteer is to become a social media friend to a young carer member who has become a young volunteer for the service.
The risks associated with having a child as an online friend, include:
Child inappropriate material and content could be shared (not necessarily illegal or offensive material just material that is inappropriate for children), similarly, could language that is unsuitable for children be used; could comments be interpreted incorrectly (either genuinely or maliciously) as flirtatious or sexualised?
The perceptions of others; even where the friendship is totally ‘innocent’ others may perceive it as strange or non-mutual or speculate that the friendship is inappropriate and that the adult is grooming the child.
The professional relationship between staff and volunteers and young carers could be compromised and could lead to misinterpretation.
5.3 Young volunteers - how to keep yourself safe online
Remember, that unless you personally know the person you are talking to, you don’t really know who they are or indeed whether they are whom they say they are – treat every user as a stranger. It is simple for an adult to pose as a child and post a picture of another child, which they claim to be themselves. Other people can use your social media sites to learn about your interests and hobbies. They can then research these topics to use in discussions with you and to make you think that you have shared interests
Never reveal any personal information about yourself that would allow a person to identify you or make contact with you outside the social media site. Remember this goes beyond giving out your address, for example, giving information about clubs or youth groups that you attend and in particular posting photographs of yourself in your school uniform can assist someone in locating your whereabouts and making contact with you
If using a chat room always remain in the public area where everyone can see the conversation – don’t go into ‘side rooms’ for one-to-one chats (whispering). It is unlikely that you will be asked anything that is inappropriate or be asked to meet up with another user whilst in the public area
Remember that anything you post or do online cannot be guaranteed to remain private. Assume that anything you put online could be viewed by anyone and everyone and that it could still be viewed many years into the future
Never arrange to go alone to meet someone you have met over the internet. Remember that they may not be who they say they are. If you do want to meet with an online friend make sure that an adult accompanies you
When on line always know where the ‘ CEOP report abuse’ and ‘Internet Watch Foundation’ buttons are and don’t be afraid to use them
If you are unsure, worried or upset about something that has been said or sent to you online do not be afraid to report your concern to CEOP or the Police. If you saw, or were directed to an offensive site or webpage when surfing report it to the Internet Watch Foundation. Talk about it to an adult who you trust and don’t blame yourself if you believe something wrong has happened.
6. What to do if you are concerned about a child’s online activity
If you are concerned about a child’s safety, in relation to their engagement with social media sites or other internet activity, you should treat this as a children’s safeguarding issue. As such you should refer to and follow the Skye & Lochalsh Community Care Forum – SCIO policy and procedures. The key messages are that you record all the relevant information that has triggered your concern – this may be what you have been told or what you have observed etc and discuss this immediately with your line manager.
If a child has told you directly about something that they have seen or been asked to do online listen carefully to what they have to say. Do not make judgements, do offer reassurance, and allow the child to talk to you at their own pace. Do not make promises to keep secrets or give absolute guarantees of confidentiality and do not ask leading questions. Again discuss with your line manager as soon as possible, they will will offer advice and support in making a referral to CEOP, Children’s Services or the Police.
7. What to do if you are concerned about a colleague’s online activity in relation to a child
Similar to the above, concerns about a colleague’s conduct online towards a child is a children’s safeguarding issue and you should follow the child protection policy and procedures. You should discuss this immediately with your line manager, again keeping records about what you have observed or heard. For details of the procedure about what would happen in these instances refer to the child protection policy and procedures, the staff/volunteer handbook and the disciplinary policy and procedures. Remember that the priority is to ensure the safety of the child.
Reviewed...... Date......
Approved………………………………… Date……..………
Social Media Policy and Guidelines April 2016