April 2013 - The Boys' Brigade

A quick look at
You’ll notice that in
correspondence as well as
in the Gazette, social media
platforms such as Twitter and
Facebook are referred to frequently.
In the work place, at Church and in
our communities, social media is
playing an increasing role with more
and more people turning to it.
If used in the right way, social media can
make considerable positive impact in our
BB work. Here are a few reasons for this,
as well as some tips and tricks to get the
most out of these platforms:
- Part of everyday life – utilised not
just as a communication tool, but also
as an information sharing one as well.
- Improvements in technology – the
introduction of smart phones, tablets
and faster internet allow people to be
online 24/7.
- Usage – there are over 1 billion users
worldwide on facebook, where else could
you access so many people?
- Speed – it’s so quick to share news,
information and thoughts on current events!
Making the most of Social Media
in your Company
Firstly you need to decide on what you
want to achieve by engaging with social
media... is it to interact with BB
It’s all about joining in the conversation online...
Facebook – Social Networking
service. Profi les can be set
up for individuals, groups,
campaigns, businesses
and much more. Users
can decide own
privacy settings.
Flickr – Online photo
and video hosting site.
44 The Boys’ Brigade Gazette Apr 2013
members, parents/carers, an external
audience, or everyone?
Most social networking sites such as
Twitter are straight forward in the respect
that there is only one way of setting things
up, but Facebook has a number of options,
the most suitable for BB groups being:
• Facebook ‘Fan’ page – This is
particularly useful if you want to share
your good news stories and events
with an external audience. Perhaps
you wish to wish to encourage new
members / volunteers in your Company
with a dedicated Facebook page.
• Facebook ‘Group’ page – This is
for when you want to share information
with a select audience. For example,
members of your Company. This
should be a closed group.
Remember that content is king! To get
the most from social media, keep it
engaging and not too long. Using just
a handful of words or a sentence, or a
picture with a caption is most effective.
And where possible include a link is so
you refer people to a place where they
can fi nd out more.
Things that must be in place...
• BB Online Safeguarding & Child
Protection Policies are being followed.
• A registered BB Leader is taking
Twitter – Social Network and microblog; posts limited
to 140 characters ; generally used to highlight current
(immediate) events / issues; Predominantly public domain
although private messages between users is possible.
Profi les range from personal ones to large organisations.
LinkedIn –
Social Network
used predominantly
for professional
purposes;
Posts can be
public or private
YouTube – Video
sharing and Social
Network. Registered
users can update an
unlimited number
of videos
responsibility for maintaining/
moderating/posting.
• There is a knowledge and understanding
of the potential risks to children and
young people online.
• Privacy levels have been set to control
what content can be seen by who and
how content is moderated or reviewed.
Tips for maintaining safety online...
• No BB leaders should be in one to one
communication with BB children and
young people outside of BB hours.
• BB leaders should not have young
people as their “friends” on Facebook
etc or publish images of BB children and
young people on their personal pages.
• Don’t target children under the age
of 13 – remember the minimum
age requirement for most social
networking sites is 13.
• Don’t take or publish any personal
details of children and young people.
No names, home or email addresses,
schools or mobile numbers
• Be careful how you use photos of
children (if a child is named, avoid
using their image or if an image is
used, avoid naming the child). Obtain
children’s and parents’ written consent
to use photographs on websites.
• Think before you post and always seek
the permission of the children and young
people and their parents before adding
them to your social network page
For advice or who to contact if you
have concerns...
• Contact BB Headquarters for advice,
information or to report a concern.
• Check out the advice available online
at www.thinkuknow.co.uk,
www.kidscape.org.uk,
www.nspcc.org.uk and
www.ceop.gov.uk.
• Report concerns to the Child
Exploitation and Online Protection
Centre (CEOP) or regional equivalent.
Any BB leaders considering setting up a
social media presence should read the
BB Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
guide which can be found online at:
http://www.boys-brigade.org.uk/
safeguarding.pdf
twitter.com/theboysbrigade
facebook.com/theboysbrigade