Kadee GraySocial Media Marketing

& Public Relations

 

Social Media & Student Athletes

Tips for Responsible Use

 

What we’re going to cover

•Why this is important to you

• Examples of athletes in the media

• General guidelines to follow

Why this is important for high school student-athletes

You are the CEO of your own personal

brand

You're representing your school and its brand• Athletes are held to a different standard because you are the face of the

school

College coaches use social media to look at the compatibility of recruits.

Think this doesn't apply to you? College admissions and loan services are beginning to use social media to

screen applicants.

Once you hit send, it never ever goes away, even if you hit delete later • You may think you're protecting

yourself with apps like Snapchat,

or private Twitter accounts

Everyone is the media and has their own public platform to shout from

Examples of Athletes in the Media

Steubenville Rape Case

• High school students tweeted, posted pictures and uploaded a YouTube video about the event

• Later deleted and resurfaced by hackers

• Used as evidence in court to prosecute the teens

• Teens made Twitter threats to the victim were arrested and charged

• Met a girl on Twitter and started “sexting” with her

• Won the championship and she exposed the texts on Twitter

• When you hit send you do not own that piece of media anymore.

Peyton Siva’s Texts

Innocent Tweets?

• Tony Wroten’s Spanish class tweet in high school, AD fired

• Cardale Jones lamenting

about class – suspended

for a few games

General Guidelines: Responsible Use

If you don’t want your coach to see it, don’t post it

Audience

• Make sure your profile images (and all other images you post) are appropriate

• Your names/handles should not include profanity

• Avoid replying to, or re-tweeting, other users who have vulgar names or use profanity• You are the company you keep

Profanity

Privacy settings only go so far. Social media is public; always keep that in

mind

Protected Accounts

• If you even hesitate for a second, don’t post it. There’s a reason you hesitated in the first place

• Don’t post anything when you’re in an emotional state

• Social media isn’t the forum to vent your frustrations

• Don’t allow a hater to bait you in to a “social beef”

Respect Others

The laws of the real world still apply on social media

Underage drinking, harassment, hate crimes, cyber-bullying, etc., this includes RT’ing, liking, or sharing someone else’s

post that takes part in this

Illegal Acts

Consider opinionated topics to be off limits. Avoid commenting on sexual

orientation, race and religion. • Important topics but isn’t always best place to voice opinion

• This also includes slang for these terms e.g., using the phrase “this is gay” can be misconstrued

Opinions & Slang

Tweet other athletes at your school or other teams on social media

• Take the time to give them a shout out when they do big things

• Great way to show teamwork, improve sports/school culture

Sportsmanship

What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room

• Things that are said in private team settings should never find their way on to a social platform

• This includes texts, images, etc. that are not yours (don’t speak for someone else)

Privacy

Don’t tweet or post during class

• Disrespectful to your teacher behind their back

• Always be mindful that they, or the administration, may be monitoring your social accounts

The Classroom

Code of Ethics - be sure to trust and follow them and apply them to online

• Your team and staff have your long-term, best interests in mind

Best Interest

Closing Notes

Who is monitoring:• Coaches

• College coaches/recruiters • Athletic departments

• KINGCO • WIAA

If Not Now, Soon

Don’t let these rules prevent you from enjoying your social media experience• Acceptable to show your personality and creativity and have fun

discovering your voice (keeping it real vs. squeaky clean)

• Representative of your sport, school and team

• Use it to research the schools or coaches you want to play for

Enjoy Social Media

Upper classman help younger athletes navigate the landscape

Create Accounts

Guidance on appropriate use

Be a resource if they have a question

Help

Questions?