Safe Social Media Practices

Anyone who uses the Internet, so by definition all who are reading this blog, knows there are inherent personal risks when online. Social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace) have compounded those risks by its very nature of share, share some more, share even more, whoa, okay, that's a little too much info!

In all seriousness, we've heard the horror stories, and we know that just like in the real world, on the Internet there are bad people out there who want to do bad things to good people. There are many resources online that offer great safety tips for surfing the web, even specific tips for safe social networking.

Participating in social media sites or running an online community for Special Olympics presents a unique challenge that I've fielded a few questions on from communications program staff recently that made me realize we really need some specific tips for our community.

First, it's important to know that many Special Olympics athletes and others with intellectual disabilities are already participating online in social networking sites and they enjoy doing it just like anyone else. I've seen some really talented athletes from Special Olympics even create groups on Facebook, create an application on Facebook, create and share regular vlogs on YouTube, many athletes are on Twitter, several have even shared songs or poems they've created on MySpace or iTunes and there are dozens of athletes on our own Fan Community that pose legitimate and thought provoking questions about Special Olympics rules, policies and procedures.

That said, the unique challenge that presents itself to Special Olympics staff, family members and loved ones of Special Olympics athletes is that because we will always advocate inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all people, we must be extra vigilant to make sure the athletes are as safe online as they are at a Special Olympics event, in school or in their every day lives.

For many people, the Internet and especially social media, is unfamiliar terrain when it comes to asking the question "just how safe are we?" A lot of concern has been expressed about what it means to "friend" someone or "follow" someone and what if an athlete allows the wrong person to be their "friend," are they safe? What if they participate in a message board conversation and people pick on them? What if the athlete is too trusting and gives out personal information that they should keep private?

These are all very legitimate and good concerns and I want to try and throw out a few suggestions, tips and ideas to help us all navigate these sometimes unsteady waters.

First and foremost, it's important to forget the platform of the computer/Internet/Facebook, or what have you, and remember that being online is about interaction. While the "anonymity" of the Internet may seem like a safety blanket, its a false sense of security. You should consider your interactions online to be the same as interactions you'd have in person. If a stranger came up to you on the street and says they need five minutes of your time and that if you can give them $100 they'll bring you $10,000 back tomorrow, chances are you'd say 'no thank you' and keep walking. So if you get an email or an instant message from a stranger saying you inherited money from a long lost Nigerian relative and that if you can deliver a $1,000 processing fee to them they will send you a $1 million inheritance check, you should do the same thing you would on the street, walk away (in this case hit "delete").

My example is contrived and may seem ridiculous, but you'd be surprised how many people fall for these widely known and blatant phishing scams. But as you can see, a little common sense can go a long way. To that effect, below are some universal tips (common sense) about staying safe online.

Don’t share any personal information like a Social Security Number, bank account/credit card number or an online membership password with anyone you don’t know.

Don’t reply to emails or engage in conversations with strangers that are offering fast and easy temptations or solutions like money, sex or “too good to be true” work at home dream jobs.

If you are unsure about who someone is or if an offer is legitimate, before you respond, use Google to do a search and see what comes up. Also, Snopes is a great resource that can tell you if email scams (Nigerian relatives) or wives tales (drinking beet juice cures cancer) are legit. As always, the Better Business Bureau is still a great resource to check out a business you may be unsure of.

So while those basic tips cover general personal safety on the Internet, let's cover a few tips specific to Special Olympics and our athletes.

Much like the way "real life" examples applied in the information above, it's important to remember that the information in our Protected Behaviors resource can often be applied to interactions online.

Five Online Tips for Special Olympics Social Media:

Talk to your athletes, find out if they use the Internet and what sites they visit. If they are on social networking sites, you can join the sites and "friend" the athlete. Often times this means you will see any of their updates or when they upload pictures or videos. This will allow you increased interaction with your athletes building stronger relationships as well as alert you quickly to any potential trouble.

The adage 'Safety in Numbers' applies online too! As a volunteer, parent, coach or staff member, encourage your athletes to join our own Fan Community or other Special Olympics groups and pages on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter. The more integrated you and the athletes are into our Special Olympics social media networks the more connected the athletes will feel to friends and peers which allows the community to look out for one another.

Encourage athletes to have a real life "online buddy." This person could be a volunteer, a schoolmate, sibling, parent, or any other trusted person with a face-to-face relationship to the athlete. Have the athlete be online with their "online buddy" sitting there in person if necessary, or at least keep the "online buddy" up to date on what sites they belong to, who their new online friends are, or what sorts of material they are uploading to the Internet.

Hold the athlete responsible for inappropriate behaviors or interactions online. This can include visiting inappropriate sites, participating in inappropriate conversations, picking fights on message boards, posting inflammatory or inappropriate blogs, or sharing personal information. It's important to note that "inappropriate" must be defined individually and should be clearly discussed with the athlete and a trusted guardian.

Reward and praise positive interactions or behaviors online. When you see an athlete sharing their pictures, videos or stories of accomplishments from Games or other events, comment on those media items and share your pride in their accomplishment. Introduce athletes to your friends that you think could be a good friend for the athlete.

As you can see, safety on the Internet is simply an extension of the same common sense, with a little effort of engagement, that we all put forth in our daily lives in order to share with our friends, family members, loved ones and Special Olympics athletes. With a little bit of effort to get beyond the intimidation factor of "THE INTERNET" everyone, including Special Olympics athletes, can enjoy all the great resources and community that the online space offers.

Did I miss anything? Offer your own tips in the comments below!