Altoona Area Youth Ice Hockey

Social Media Policy

As part of AAYIHA emphasis on participant safety, we would like to address social medial.

Social media makes it easy to share ideas and experiences. We recognize, however, that social media, mobile and other electronic communications can be especially concerning where minor participants are involved. To assist you in making responsible decisions about the use of social media we have established these guidelines for appropriate use of social media. These guidelines should be a reference for not only our players, but our coaches and parents alike.

  • Players
  • Recognize the permanency of social media
  • The internet in permanent. Once something is posted, you will not be able to retract it. Even if you delete something, it is out there somewhere. One you hit send, your message, tweet, picture becomes public information
  • You are solely responsible for what you post online
  • Pause before making an online posting and exercise good judgement. Think twice before sending a message or a photo across social media. If you are angry or emotional refrain from posting at this time due to making a bad decision. If you wouldn’t want someone to post it of you, then it is probably a bad idea to post it of someone else. Always present a positive image and don’t do anything to embarrass yourself, your family, or your team.
  • Social medial can be used to commit abuse or misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communication by any coach, volunteer, or a participant of a USA Hockey member program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s Safe Sport Program.
  • Should a parent want to request that no electronic communication occur with their child, this would need to be put in writing to AAYIHA and all electronic communication would immediately stop
  • Coaches
  • Coaches are prohibited from having players joined to their personal Facebook page as well as any other social media including Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. An official organization or team page may be set up for players and parents to join.
  • All electronic communication of any kind between coach and player, including use of social media, must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communication information about team activities or for team oriented motivational purposes.
  • Infractions
  • Infractions of these policies should be reported to the AAYIHA Executive Board immediately.
  • A USA Hockey participant who violates this Social Media policy will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, permanent suspension and/or referral to law enforcement authorities

PLAYERS/COACHING STAFF THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION

  • Know and follow the rules!
  • Displaying or transmitting content that is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning, or threatening towards another individual or group of individuals, including opposing teams.
  • Displaying or transmitting content that criticizes the organization or officials
  • Displaying or transmitting content that is derogatory or insensitive to individuals based on race, color, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. Including but not limited to slurs, jokes, stereotypes or other inappropriate remarks.
  • Displaying or transmitting content that shows personal use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco
  • Displaying or transmitting content that contains obscene or sexually explicit language, images or acts.

Voted 03/28/2016