Friday 17 September 2010

My Social Networking Policy

Originally writen by another Youth Worker in my town, i have asked if i can use their Social Networking Policy for the protection of myself and all I am in contact with use networking avenues.

As a youth worker, the question of how to appropriately use social networking sites and other electronic communication tools (email, text messages etc.) is one that repeatedly raises its head for conversation. There are many differing views … clearly, these are effective tools for reaching young people and as such we must look to use them. However, a lack of proper accountability and the potential for misunderstanding with “written” communication can leave youth workers and young people vulnerable.

With this in mind, and in the absence of clear guidelines on these subjects from prominent youth work organisations, I have decided to set out my own policy for the safe use of these methods of communication. These are designed to safeguard both myself and the young people that I work with by allowing only “visible” communication, and clearly indicating what interaction is acceptable. This also removes the possibility of misunderstanding, and provides accountability as best as possible within the confines of these sites/devices.

I will continue to work on these as issues are raised.

FACEBOOK
- I only have one facebook profile, not a separate one for work and personal. I firmly believe that ministry is a whole-life calling, and my desire is that there be nothing in my life that I would rather young people were not exposed to. The profile you see is me … work, home, everything.
- I do accept friend requests from young people, and send similar requests to others. As stated above, I believe in allowing young people to see my life. I also think it is important to communicate in contemporary ways.
- I do NOT accept or send friend requests until AFTER I have met the young person in “real-life”. I use facebook as a way to communicate with people that I know, rather than as a way to make new friends. I believe this to be the safest way to use it.
- Young people are welcome to write on my wall, “like” my status, comment on or “tag” photos etc. These are communications that can be seen by anyone else on my friends list … including those to whom I am accountable.
- I do occasionally write on young people’s walls, “like” their status, comment on or “tag” photos etc. Similar to the above, this is public and easily seen. I carefully consider any wall posts and comments before they are posted.
- I do NOT send private messages. This is a hidden communication, and therefore I do not use private messaging at all with young people. If a young person does communicate with me this way i will respond in generalities but anything more than basic conversation and i will stop the conversation and remind that i will follow this up next time at the youth group meeting. NO meeting up conversations will take place with this mode of communication.
- I do NOT “poke” or respond to them. Again, this is a hidden communication. Any “pokes” received are ignored immediately.
- I do NOT enter into pastoral conversation through facebook. I am happy to exchange information, jokes etc, or to arrange meetings. But I won’t have any in-depth conversations.
- I do NOT do the whole FarmVille, Mafia Wars, applications rubbish. I have no clever reason, they’re just annoying to me!

TWITTER
- I am on Twitter, and young people are welcome to follow me.
- I may follow any young people that have Twitter accounts. I am interested in young people’s views of life, and Twitter can, at times, provide a valuable insight.
- I do NOT send or respond to direct messages. These are hidden communications.

PHONES, TEXT MESSAGES & EMAIL
- I only have one phone number. My iPhone is my work phone, personal phone, mp3 player, diary and camera.
- Young people are welcome to call, text or email me (within the confines set out below). I believe in being available to young people in as many ways as possible.
- I will call, text and email young people if necessary (within the confines set out below).
For some young people, their mobile phone or email is the best way to pass on information.
- I do NOT enter into pastoral conversation by text message or email. I am happy to exchange information or to arrange meetings by text or email, but I won’t have any in-depth conversations. I will, however, occasionally use the phone for this, provided someone else can overhear the conversation.

GENERAL
- I don’t do ANY of the above on my day off!
My day off is precious. I do go on facebook, I don’t turn my phone off but I will ignore any work-related messages or calls until the next day. Please don’t take this personally … it’s not. I just need to keep my life balanced! If it’s TRULY urgent, leave me a message and if I agree that it is, I’ll call you back.

Thanks again to the youth worker I taken this from. If you have any questions you can comment bellow.

Thanks
Fi