Guidance for parents and carers – Responsible use of text, email and social networking sites

Whilst the internet brings many benefits and opportunities it also opens up some new risks and challenges. That’s why The FA has teamed up with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre to promote online safety and vigilance.

We would ask that you as a parent/carer to be aware of the following best practice promoted within football:

• Ensure you are aware of how coaches, managers and other members of the club or league should communicate with your son/daughter
• Show an interest in the communications between the club, you and your son or daughter. Open communication about club and league activities/issues often mean concerns are picked up early and issues can be resolved easily
• Familiarise yourself with The FAs guidance for clubs in relation to websites, text messaging and social networking sites
• Familiarise yourself with the social networking sites your child is using. Did you know children U13 are not supposed to use Facebook? 13-17 year olds are given different ‘set up’ security features within Facebook so please ensure that they are set up correctly using their real DOB and haven’t bypassed this
• If you are not getting copied into club/team text messages or emails raise this with the club and ask that you are added into these communications immediately
• Know who your club welfare officer is and how to contact them if you have any concerns about the content of club/league web pages or in relation to the welfare of your son/daughter
• Ensure you tell your child to tell someone they trust about communications that make them feel uncomfortable or where they’ve been asked not to tell their parent/carer about the communication
• Remember as a member of a club you are responsible for and need to abide by club protocol/policy and FA Rules and Regulations regarding comments that you place online about the league, club, players, managers and/or match officials
• Look at the guidance offered by the Child Exploitation Online Protection (CEOP) centre; they provide guidance for parents/ carers, children and young people. They also provide the most up to date guidance for online environments
• The FA Respect Codes of Conduct give guidance on appropriate behaviour which can be related equally to match day, training and online environments http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/Respect/CodesofConduct
• Follow the guidance given by the Government’s ‘Click Clever Click Safe’ campaign; ZIP IT - BLOCK IT - FLAG IT. This simple 3-point guidance provides an everyday reminder of good behaviour that will help keep young people safe online
• If your son or daughter receives images or messages which are offensive, threatening, or unsuitable please copy and save then elsewhere or print them off before removing or destroying them. They may be needed as evidence by the Club Welfare Officer or other agencies involved in the protection of children online
• If you have serious online concerns for the welfare of your son or daughter report it directly to CEOP using the report button below and speak to the club welfare officer as soon as possible