ADVICE ON SOCIAL NETWORKING
 
More and more people are now using social networking sites such as facebook, bebo and twitter on a daily basis to keep in touch with friends and family.  A third of the UK population is said to have a facebook account. Whilst no-one would wish to discourage anyone from using these sites, it is important that all Stourbridge SC members take a moment to consider the advice of the ASA. The key points are:
 
1. Do not request your swimming coach, teacher or team manager to be your 'friend'. This would put them in an awkward position as offence may be caused when they say no.
 
2. Consider who you are inviting to be your friend and follow the good advice of the social networking sites to ensure you are talking to the person you believe you are talking to.
 
3. Ensure that your privacy settings are such that only your friends can view your personal details and photographs. If you aren't sure how to change your privacy settings ask somebody to help you.
 
4. Do not put pictures of other club members on the site within the club setting as you may well be breaching the ASA photography policy. You can have photos of yourself and your swimming friends on your site that have been taken away from the swimming pool, but none by the poolside. This is particularly important now that so many mobile phones have cameras. We must remind you that in line with the ASA's photography policy you are not allowed to take photographs on poolside or the changing rooms, even with a camera phone. This applies to training and swimming competitions. It is very important that any such pictures do not end up on social networking sites for anyone to see.
 
5. A social network site should never be used to abuse or criticise ASA members or clubs and to do so would be a breach of ASA Laws and Regulations. This means that you should never use your site to say nasty things about or to any member of our swimming club, or any other. This includes status updates, wall messages, private messages and chat services.
 
Remember to stay safe and be sensible about your use of such sites.
 
If anyone would like to read the full document it can be found here
 
http://www.swimming.org/asa/library/document/good-practice-guidelines-on-the-use-of-social-networking-sites-wavepower-09
 
If anyone has any concerns regarding theirs or their swimmer's use of social networking sites then contact our welfare officer Tracy Bennett.