EB Safeguarding Week – Day 4 – Staying Safe Online

Today we’re reminding everyone that staying safe online is just as important as staying safe in the ring.

The internet is a great place to learn, connect, and share — but it’s important to use it wisely and protect yourself and others.

Top Tips for Children, Young People and Adults at Risk

• Think before you share – once something is posted, it’s hard to take back.
• Protect your personal information – never share your full name, address, or location publicly.
• Be kind online – treat others with respect, just like you would in person.
• Keep communication safe – only chat with people you know and use approved club platforms.
• Tell someone if something feels wrong – speak to your Club Welfare Officer, a coach, or a trusted adult.

Best Practice Tips for Coaches and Volunteers

• No private messaging with children, young people or adults at risk
• Communicate with parents/carers rather than directly with children, young people or adults at risk.
• Parental/care consent should always be sort
• Communication should always be open, transparent, and accountable using language that is appropriate, respectful and professional and not overly familiar
• Messages must only relate to club or boxing activities – nothing of a personal nature
• Communication should always be sent at appropriate times of the day (i.e. not late at night)
• Copy in another coach or the Club Welfare Officer for transparency
• Coaches and volunteers are in a position of trust – communication must reflect this ensuring the tone and content are appropriate, polite, and inclusive
• Avoid situations that could be misinterpreted or compromise safeguarding standards
• Use club-approved communication channels (e.g. club email, official social media pages, or group messaging apps). Avoid apps such as Snapchat.
• Think carefully about your personal online profiles and do not link them to young people’s pages or profiles.
• Think about your role, and the role model responsibilities that come with it, within boxing before you post online

Staying safe online helps protect your privacy, wellbeing, and reputation. It also helps create a positive, respectful club community — online and offline.

Resources

• UPDATED England Boxing – Appropriate Online Communication and Online Conduct Guidance
• Children and Young People – For more information about staying safe online please visit the childline website
• CPSU Podcasts – Online Safety Series
• NSPCC – 8 principles of harm reduction – building digital resilience PDF