Slippery Rock Social Media

Slippery Rock Athletic Instagram

Slippery Rock Athletics Twitter Account

Social Media Policy

Social Media has become ingrained in today’s society. The wide variety of social networking tools presently available provides students easy access to share important news and events with each other. Social media technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, micro blogging, Wikis, podcasts, photographs, video rating, social bookmarking, and others have many benefits in our world; however they can also be disruptive when inappropriate social media postings occur. Using these communication tools in an inappropriate manner can have negative consequences, especially if unkind words or threats are used with intent to hurt others.

The Athletic Department recognizes and supports its student-athletes’ right to freedom of speech, expression, and association, including the use of social networks. In this context, each student must remember that participating and competing for the Slippery Rock Area School District is a privilege and not a right. The students represent the school district, and therefore, they are expected to portray themselves, their team, and the school district in a positive manner at all times. Any online postings must be consistent with federal and state laws, as well as team and school district rules and regulations (including those listed below).

Specifically prohibited behaviors include (not limited to):

Sexually explicit profane, lewd, indecent, illegal, or defamatory language/actions
Derogatory language regarding school personnel or other students/team members
Comments designed to harass or bully students/team members and/or school personnel
Nude, sexually- oriented or indecent photos, images, or altered pictures

Any and all of these actions while in a school issued uniform

Also prohibited are all on-campus connections to off-campus violations of the policy (during practices or events):

Use of school computers to view off-campus postings
Students accessing posts at school on their own devices
Distribution of hard copies of posts on school property
Re-communication on campus on the content of the posts

Any violations found through an investigation, which disrupt or interfere with the educational process in any manner, may result in suspension or termination from a team, etc.

"Think before you post"

Be careful with how much and what kind of identifying information you post on social networking sites. It is unwise to make available information such as a full date of birth, social security number, address, phone number, cell phone numbers, class/ work schedules, bank account information, or details about your daily routine. All of these can facilitate identity theft or stalking. REMEMBER: once posted the information becomes the property of the website.

Be aware that potential current and future employers and college admissions offices often access information you place on online social networking sites. Realize that any information you post will provide an image of you to prospective employers and/or schools: regarding yourself or how you speak of others. The posting is considered public information. Protect yourself by maintaining a self-image that you can be proud of years from now.

Be careful in responding to unsolicited emails asking for passwords or PIN numbers. Reputable businesses do not ask for this information online.

Do not have a false sense of security about your rights to freedom of speech. Understand that freedom of speech is not unlimited. Social networking sites are NOT a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions.

Remember that photos once put on a social network site’s server become the property of the site. You may delete the photo from your profile, but it still stays in the network server. Internet search engines like Google or Yahoo may still find that image long after you have deleted it from your profile. Think long and hard about what type of photo you want to represent you.

One of the biggest lessons social networking users can learn is that anything you post online enters the public record. High School students/ personnel need to consider their profiles and how they may look to future colleges or potential employers.