In order for child sexual abuse to occur, predators need three things: privacy, access and control. The internet—and more broadly digital communication and social media—can make all of these three things easier to obtain.
That's why Redwoods has long advocated that youth-serving organizations prohibit private communication and social media interaction between staff and the young people they serve.
We know, however, that this policy can be hard to follow in a time when digital communication is the norm. That's why we've updated our sample policy to give staff a better understanding of the "why" behind these rules and recommendations. The policy covers everything from the importance of limiting who gets to take pictures, and who has their picture taken, to prohibiting the “friending” of underage participants.
We recommend that everyone at your organization—staff and volunteers—carefully review and agree to the terms of a social media policy, and renew their agreement annually. The internet is a vast sea of limitless connection. Make sure you have the tools in place to keep staff, volunteers, members, and guests in a protected and emotionally safe digital environment.