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Social Media Guidance

ECB Guidance for Clubs on the Use of Social Media, Texts and Email

Social Media

Social Media, when used properly, is exciting and opens up a lot of opportunities. By following some simple guidelines, Social Media can be safely used as a promotional tool and a means of communication for the club. This can be applied to all members of Maidenhead & Bray Cricket Club.

Club Officials / Coaches / Managers

Facebook and Twitter accounts are great for promoting your club and cricket in general, as well as being a fun way to unwind and stay in touch with friends; it is essential that you:

  • You should have separate cricket-club-related and personal pages; all contact with players should be through the former, and strictly in relation to cricket-related activity.
  • You should also adjust the privacy settings for your personal account so that content is only visible to accepted 'friends'. This will keep younger players safe from material that may be unsuitable for them, and will reduce the risk of your online interactions from being viewed with suspicion.
  • Although younger players may see you as a friend, and may request to be your 'friend' on a social media site, you should direct them to the cricket-club related page and keep all contact professional.
  • It is also important to be mindful of any content you post online via the cricket-club related page; remember:
    • Your communications should conform to 'Safe Hands' policy and guidance. Ensure that nothing you post could cause personal distress or be seen as inappropriate for children.
    • If you wouldn't put it on the club noticeboard, it doesn't belong on the club's social media pages.
    • You should have consent before posting any personal information online.
    • Remember the picture/no name guidance for under 18s and photography guidelines.
  • If you are in charge of a social media page for the club, further detailed guidance has been provided by the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU):http://www.ecb.co.uk/inform/cpsu/resources/briefings/social_networking_services_wdf60029.pdf

Texts and Emails: Contacting Under 18 Players

The Children Act defines a person under 18 years as a child.

  • You should make arrangements for under 18s via their parents or carers; this includes text and email messages.
  • It is understood that in the case of over 17s this may not be ideal for yourself or the parents. An acceptable exception to this rule is to text or email the parent and to copy in the 16 or 17 year old, with the parent's prior consent. This means the parent is able to monitor communications, but the 16 or 17 year old receives the information directly.
  • If you receive any responses that appear inappropriate they should be brought to the attention of the parent or carer.
  • You should not engage in individual text or email conversations with a 16 or 17 year old without their parent receiving the same messages from you.
  • All contact with under 18s must be in relation to coaching, matches and cricket-related activity.

Social Media: Dos and Don'ts

✓ DO

  • •Keep cricket and personal pages separate
  • •Adjust privacy settings appropriately
  • •Get consent before posting information
  • •Follow photography guidelines
  • •Contact under 18s via parents

✗ DON'T

  • •Mix personal and club social media
  • •Post inappropriate content
  • •Share personal information without consent
  • •Directly message under 18s without parents
  • •Accept friend requests from young players

Key Principles

  • •All communications must be cricket-related and professional
  • •Parents must be included in all contact with under 18s
  • •Privacy and consent are paramount
  • •Follow ECB 'Safe Hands' policy and guidance

Last updated: December 2025