December 2018 Round Table Presentation on Social Media and Scouting

1. Prepared. For Life.
Social Media

2. Prepared. For Life.
• Social Media is here to stay
• Social Media Guidelines
– Social Media and Youth Protection
– Internet Safety Guidelines
– General Considerations
• Key Social Media Channels and Associated
Considerations
– Facebook
– Twitter
– YouTube
– Latest that THEY use but WE don’t
• How do YOU use Social Media
Overview

3. Prepared. For Life.
• BSA acknowledges that social media is here to
stay
• Social media enables current and past Scouts
and Scouters to communicate directly with
each other about Scouting
• Social media can create very positive
messages about your unit and Scouting in
general
• Creation and maintenance of these channels
requires forethought, care, and responsibility
• Be aware of Chartered Organization policies
BSA Embracing Social
Media

4. Prepared. For Life.
• These guidelines are in addition to the BSA’s
existing Youth Protection policies and training
– Includes the practice of no one-one-one communication
between adults and youth. Any form of communication
between them should always involve a second adult.
• Follow terms of service for all websites
• Follow Scout Oath and Scout Law
– Content contrary to the Scout Oath and Law reflect badly
on the unit, the poster, and Scouting as a whole.
– Comments on social media “live forever”
Social Media Guidelines

5. Prepared. For Life.
• Private channels and private communication
put both the youth and you at risk
• Keeping children and their privacy safe, both
online and off, should always be at the
forefront of social media usage
• Channels must be public, and all
conversations on or through them must be
public
• No private messages and no one-on-one direct
contact through email
• Administrators must monitor for YP violations
Social Media and
Youth Protection

6. Prepared. For Life.
• Keep social media conversations online and
public. Don’t be coaxed to one-on-one
conversations
• No last names or other PII including email
addresses
• Elevate uncomfortable/not-right discussions
• Elevate illegal activity
• Never promise to keep secrets
• Never agree to meet someone you met only
online at any place off-line, in the real world
Scout Internet Safety
Guidelines

7. Prepared. For Life.
• Add a notice: Site is not an official BSA site
• Respect copyrights
• No ads on unit social media sites
• Of more serious concern are unit sites that
engage in fundraising activities not previously
approved by the local council
• Social media must be monitored
• Post content on a consistent schedule
– Stale sites cause people to lose interest. They lead the
public to believe your unit isn’t exciting or viable.
General Considerations

8. Prepared. For Life.
Facebook
• Gather to have conversations and share
information
• Can help keeps Scouting in the discussion
beyond weekly meetings
– Pro/Con: Unstructured or unattended can quickly detract
from the experience
– Must be 13 years old
• Two-deep leader administration
• Moderate public comments if you allow them

9. Prepared. For Life.
Twitter
• Character-limited which lends itself to quick,
simple updates
• Can be used like instant messaging or email
but in a public forum
– In this capacity, good for last minute instructions or
changes, links to event details, etc.
• Direct-messaging capabilities should not be
used because of Youth Protection policies
• Designate two administrators
• Moderate public commenting

10. Prepared. For Life.
YouTube
• Video-hosting and viewing
• Manage a channel
• Must be public – no private channels
• Designate two administrators
• Moderate public comments
• All videos must adhere to Youth Protection
policies
– Must be screened for privacy content (e.g. last names)

11. Prepared. For Life.
Other Social Media
• WhatsApp
• WeChat
• Tumblr
• Instagram
• Pintrest
• Snapchat
• Vine (video app)
• Whisper (anonymous posting app)
• Tinder (ADULT ONLY!)

12. Prepared. For Life.
Key Take-a-ways
• Read the BSA Social Media Guidelines yourself
– https://scoutingwire.org/marketing-and-
membership-hub/social-media/social-media-
guidelines/
• If you are a social media webmaster or content
provider, review the Social Media Playbook
– https://41zfam1pstr03my3b22ztkze-
wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-
content/uploads/2015/05/Social_Media_Playbo
ok_050815.pdf
• Youth Protection is paramount