CHILD SAFE Online
Introduction
1. Disciples Church is committed to providing a child-safe and child-friendly environment. This commitment extends to the use of social media within the context of children’s and youth ministries, as well as online interactions between team
members and participants.
members and participants.
What Is Social Media?
2. Social media encompasses a range of online platforms where people interact. This includes social networks, media or file sharing networks, messaging, video conferencing, podcasts, multiplayer gaming, blogs, and discussion forums. It also includes other digital communications such as text messages, phone calls, and emails.
3. This policy applies to interactions between team members and participants in children’s and youth ministries where they do not have a pre-established relationship (e.g. family connections and the contact is approved and permitted by the child’s parent).
4. This policy applies regardless of whether interactions occur on personal or ministry- managed accounts, and includes any digital medium used to contact or interact with children.
3. This policy applies to interactions between team members and participants in children’s and youth ministries where they do not have a pre-established relationship (e.g. family connections and the contact is approved and permitted by the child’s parent).
4. This policy applies regardless of whether interactions occur on personal or ministry- managed accounts, and includes any digital medium used to contact or interact with children.
Interacting with Children Online
5. Team members must not make or accept ‘friend’ requests (or equivalent) from participants in DC children’s and youth ministries if it grants access to each other’s historic posts or private webpage (e.g. timelines).
6. Avoid one-on-one contact with participants. Digital interactions should include two team members to ensure transparency.
7. Be aware of why a child might seek a connection and provide appropriate methods for continuing the conversation if necessary.
8. If a child initiates contact, keep the conversation transparent, brief and honest, and move it to a moderated area or include another team member. Advise the team leader and document the communication.
9. Communication with children should occur only during standard ministry hours unless exceptional circumstances exist and have been approved by a Team Leader.
10. Never film online interactions or take, keep or distribute photos of children (including screenshots) except for documenting the program with the team leader’s permission. Images of children must be used only with permission.
11. Understand that even unofficial communications between team members and participants endorse the platform used. The risk assessment of a social media platform should include consideration of the potential further uses of that program.
12. Do not engage with youth via programs that might be inappropriate or linked to other unsuitable media. Inappropriate programs pose risks such as unsecured chats and photos, possible contact with strangers, or exposure to inappropriate material. The team leader should direct which platforms to use when engaging with youth.
13. Chosen channels should be age-appropriate for the youngest possible participant age, for both safety and inclusiveness.
6. Avoid one-on-one contact with participants. Digital interactions should include two team members to ensure transparency.
7. Be aware of why a child might seek a connection and provide appropriate methods for continuing the conversation if necessary.
8. If a child initiates contact, keep the conversation transparent, brief and honest, and move it to a moderated area or include another team member. Advise the team leader and document the communication.
9. Communication with children should occur only during standard ministry hours unless exceptional circumstances exist and have been approved by a Team Leader.
10. Never film online interactions or take, keep or distribute photos of children (including screenshots) except for documenting the program with the team leader’s permission. Images of children must be used only with permission.
11. Understand that even unofficial communications between team members and participants endorse the platform used. The risk assessment of a social media platform should include consideration of the potential further uses of that program.
12. Do not engage with youth via programs that might be inappropriate or linked to other unsuitable media. Inappropriate programs pose risks such as unsecured chats and photos, possible contact with strangers, or exposure to inappropriate material. The team leader should direct which platforms to use when engaging with youth.
13. Chosen channels should be age-appropriate for the youngest possible participant age, for both safety and inclusiveness.
Personal Online Use
14. The online conduct of team members should reflect the same standards of personal conduct required in children’s and youth ministries.
15. Team members should remember that posting on social media puts the information in the public domain, which cannot be retracted.
16. Images and personal details of children engaged in DC ministries must not be published on a team member’s personal site or page, without parental consent or approval.
15. Team members should remember that posting on social media puts the information in the public domain, which cannot be retracted.
16. Images and personal details of children engaged in DC ministries must not be published on a team member’s personal site or page, without parental consent or approval.
Permission For Online Programs
17. Only engage with children online if parental consent has been granted for their participation in the activity or program. Consent must be specific to the platform used.
18. In-person youth programs allow parents to meet and interact with the Ministry Team, providing consent when signing up or delivering their child to the program. Online programs should provide parents the same opportunities. Inform parents about the planned activity, its schedule, the platform to be used, and safeguarding steps in place.
19. Communications about youth Programs should always be through the most accessible media, usually text, to both the youth and parents (including scheduling updates). Include the Team Leader’s contact details for any questions or feedback.
20. ‘Permission to Proceed’ is required for all online youth programs, or activities within an existing program.
18. In-person youth programs allow parents to meet and interact with the Ministry Team, providing consent when signing up or delivering their child to the program. Online programs should provide parents the same opportunities. Inform parents about the planned activity, its schedule, the platform to be used, and safeguarding steps in place.
19. Communications about youth Programs should always be through the most accessible media, usually text, to both the youth and parents (including scheduling updates). Include the Team Leader’s contact details for any questions or feedback.
20. ‘Permission to Proceed’ is required for all online youth programs, or activities within an existing program.
Running Online Programs And Activities
21. Online interactions introduce unique behavioural and safety issues. Risks include external influences, such as hackers, predators or catfish who might try to insinuate themselves amongst the children. Other risks include indiscreet communications and escalating conflict between participants themselves.
22. Online programs must adhere to the same standards as physical programs, including a minimum of two team members. Maintain the same guidelines of acceptable behaviour and follow the reporting procedure for any disclosures or concerns.
23. Consider the scope of the activity before starting, e.g. a chat group started by the Team should be actively moderated while in use and dissolved before discontinuing.
24. Guidelines for online activities:
a. Ensure the participants understand expected rules of conduct
b. Only interact with children known to DC programs
c. Monitor conversations to prevent bullying, harassment, and over-sharing
d. Moderate photo sharing
e. Don’t record online interactions or take photos of children, including screenshots, other than for the purpose of the program
f. Archive messages for later access by the RMO and Coordinator if required
22. Online programs must adhere to the same standards as physical programs, including a minimum of two team members. Maintain the same guidelines of acceptable behaviour and follow the reporting procedure for any disclosures or concerns.
23. Consider the scope of the activity before starting, e.g. a chat group started by the Team should be actively moderated while in use and dissolved before discontinuing.
24. Guidelines for online activities:
a. Ensure the participants understand expected rules of conduct
b. Only interact with children known to DC programs
c. Monitor conversations to prevent bullying, harassment, and over-sharing
d. Moderate photo sharing
e. Don’t record online interactions or take photos of children, including screenshots, other than for the purpose of the program
f. Archive messages for later access by the RMO and Coordinator if required
Social Media Pages For Programs
25. All social media pages or websites for programs associated with Disciples Church must be approved by the Lead Pastor and the Media Manager, including major updates.
26. Inform parents about pages that might involve their children and invite them to join these groups in order to follow the page.
27. Obtain permission to publish photographs from the parents, as well as the teenager of youth programs. Do not ‘tag’ participants in photos. Even if the page is private, treat published photos as part of the public domain.
28. Do not post identifying information about participants or the Ministry Team, including uniforms that identify a specific school or location.
29. Exercise discretion when posting details about upcoming events. Take care not to post information that should remain confidential.
30. Only current team members, participants and their parents should be members of active program groups (which will require that membership of the group is periodically reviewed).
31. Social media pages should be administered and monitored by the Team Leader, plus at least one other team member, staff member, or Elder.
32. Set social media pages to the highest privacy settings, and ensure that all posts are approved by a page administrator before publishing.
33. This policy was last updated in August 2025.
26. Inform parents about pages that might involve their children and invite them to join these groups in order to follow the page.
27. Obtain permission to publish photographs from the parents, as well as the teenager of youth programs. Do not ‘tag’ participants in photos. Even if the page is private, treat published photos as part of the public domain.
28. Do not post identifying information about participants or the Ministry Team, including uniforms that identify a specific school or location.
29. Exercise discretion when posting details about upcoming events. Take care not to post information that should remain confidential.
30. Only current team members, participants and their parents should be members of active program groups (which will require that membership of the group is periodically reviewed).
31. Social media pages should be administered and monitored by the Team Leader, plus at least one other team member, staff member, or Elder.
32. Set social media pages to the highest privacy settings, and ensure that all posts are approved by a page administrator before publishing.
33. This policy was last updated in August 2025.
Schedule 1
1. Government support and useful websites:
2. Policies referenced in this document:
3. Procedures detailed in this document:
2. Policies referenced in this document:
- Child Safety Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Privacy Policy
3. Procedures detailed in this document:
- Permission to Proceed Procedure