Principle 2
NSOs ensure that athletes and staff are provided guidance on how to use social media effectively and ethically for promotion, branding and networking both socially and professionally.
Due to the unique nature of sport and NSOs, the boundaries between work, volunteer time and social life can often be blurred. It is therefore essential that social media users make a clear distinction between the actions they take in a professional capacity and the actions they take or the things they say in a personal capacity.
NSOs should consider the development of guidelines or processes to help athletes and staff manage social media for their personal and professional benefit, and to avoid putting themselves in situations which could ultimately bring themselves or the NSO into disrepute. The guidelines should assist athletes, coaches and staff to understand their obligations under the NSO’s Social Media Policy and help ensure healthy use of social media and reduce the risk of misuse.