Social Media

The Social Media policy in Guide Lines covers all social networking sites, video and photo-sharing websites, micro-blogging sites, blogs, forums and discussion boards.  The simple rule of thumb is that if you, your Leaders or youth members, are participating in social media sites you should take the same approach as if you were interacting face to face.  If you wouldn’t say it face to face, don’t post it online.  The following guidance applies to all use of social media, including personal sites:

• personal and confidential details must not be published
• normal copyright and intellectual property rights apply
• don’t use GGA or State logos for endorsements
• photos and videos cannot be posted unless adults have given consent and youth members parents have given written permission and Managers/Leaders should seek permission with each posting
• comments that could be misinterpreted or viewed as denigrating or discriminatory must not be made.

Parents should be asked not to post photos of their child onto social media sites if those photos contain images of other children.

What if social media is being used on behalf of a Unit/District/Region?

The guidance above still applies.  In addition:

• Acknowledge who you are. The person posting should identify who they are and their role. It must be clear your site doesn’t represent Guiding in your State.
• Inform the relevant person in your State. If required formally register your site with the State Office
• Link to State website. Ideally, posts should be brief, redirecting visitors to your State website.
• Separate personal profiles and Guiding profiles. On the Guiding website keep your profile limited.   If you want, create a fuller profile for friends and family.
• Keep communication visible. Communication with group members should be through a group page and have more than one adult as a member of any group.

What about my personal use of social media?

Of course, you can use social media to connect with your own friends and family.  If a Youth Member requests to be a friend on your personal site, don’t accept but separately direct them to your Guiding profile.

Internet Sites

Regions, Districts or Units might want to create their own internet sites.  These sites must only contain information about Girl Guiding which is specific to the respective Unit, District, or Region.  Every site must have approval and should contain the disclaimer, “This website is not an official site of Girl Guides Australia.  Girl Guides Australia takes no responsibility for the content of this website.”  The guidelines above on social media also apply to Internet sites.

Given the increasing use of social media, this topic could be a valuable addition to either the Region meeting or District meeting agenda.

Privacy

Australian Privacy Principles  governs the way in which Girl Guiding in Australia manages personal information.

Read the Girl Guides Australia Privacy Policy for more information.

The Privacy Policy: Procedures provide information on what information can be collected and how.