Social Media and Safeguarding Youth

 All rules and regulations regarding safeguarding youth apply to social media promotion, communications and use. All communication should be guided by the Oath and the Law. Scout activities and safety should be a key focus. Be an advocate for youth to keep children and their privacy safe. 

  1. All Channels must be public. No private channels (private Facebook groups or invite-only groups on YouTube. If you feel the information is not appropriate for the public, then it should not be shared on social media. 
  2. Two registered adult leaders over 21; including one female adult leader if your unit is serving female youth should be registered as the admin. This satisfies the two-deep leadership requirement for all Scouting activities. 
  3. Two deep leadership means no private messages and no one-on-one contact through email, Facebook messages, Twitter direct messaging, chats, instant messaging or other messaging sites. All communication between an adult and youth should be in a public forum or at a minimum have one or more registered adults openly “copied” on the message or message thread. 
  4. All personal information should be kept private. It is recommended any scouts with personal profiles for social media should make those profiles private.
  5. Must be clear it is not an official Scouting American media channel.
 

Facebook

  1. Used to form online communities.
  2. Facebook requires all users to be 13 years of age.
  3. Page should be made a Public Fan Page.
  4. Designate at least two adult leaders to be an admin (see guidance above).
  5. Invite people to like your page or follow your page.
  6. Do not give out personal information.
  7. Connects with Instagram and can share across both platforms.

Twitter

  1. Good for quick simple updates.
  2. Limited to 140 character posts.
  3. Makes instant conversations.
  4. Designate at least two adult leaders to be an admin (see guidance above).

YouTube

  1. Primarily used for video-hosting a viewing platform. 
  2. Channel must be public.
  3. Designate at least two adults leaders to be an admin (see guidance above).
  4. All videos posted must protect the privacy of the youth in the videos. 
  5. Any activity featured in the videos must comply with all scouting guidelines and proper attire must be worn.