Social Media Guidelines for Student-Athletes

Social Media Guidelines for Student-Athletes

1. Be careful with how much and what kind of identifying information you post on social networking sites. It is unwise to make available information such as full date of birth, social security number, address, phone number, cell phone numbers, class schedules, bank account
information, or details about your daily routine. All of these can facilitate identity theft or stalking. Remember - once posted the information becomes the property of the website.

2. Be aware that potential current and future employers and college admissions offices often access information you place on online social networking sites. Realize that any information you post will provide an image of you to prospective employers and/or schools. The posting is
considered public information. Protect yourself by maintaining a self-image that you can be proud of years from now.

3. Be careful in responding to unsolicited emails asking for passwords or PIN numbers. Reputable businesses do not ask for this information online.

4. Do not have a false sense of security about your rights to freedom of speech. Understand that freedom of speech is not unlimited. Social networking sites are NOT a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions.

5. Remember that photos once put on the social network site’s server become the property of the site. You may delete the photo from your profile, but it still stays in their server. Internet search engines like Google or Yahoo may still find that image long after you have deleted it
from your profile. Think long and hard about what type of photo you want to represent you. One of the biggest lessons social networking users can learn is that anything you post online enters the public record. High school students should carefully consider their profiles and ask themselves how they would look to a future college admissions officer or potential employer.

Information contained in this document:

• Lee E. Green, J.D. – Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas.

• Virginia Beach City Public Schools – Code of Student Conduct – Social Networking

http://www.vbschools.com/students/conduct/code.asp

• St. Thomas Aquinas High School – Social Networking and Athletes –

www.stalux.org/podium/default.aspx?t=141671

St. Thomas Aquinas High School - 197 Dover Point Rd, Dover, NH 03820 - Phone: 603-742-3206 - Fax: 603-749-7822

(Adopted 8-14-2012 by the Beach District Principal’s Association)