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?