Cathedral Online & Social Media Policy

This good practice guidance has been compiled to help clergy, staff, volunteers, and members of the public visiting and accessing Christ Church Cathedral’s online activities. 

For many the internet has become a primary source for gaining information and networking with friends and acquaintances. Used responsibly social media and the internet can be of benefit: providing the opportunity for networking; getting to know people; gaining and sharing information about Cathedral events; learning about the Christian Faith; and spreading the Gospel. 

Online activity and posting on Cathedral social media should be consistent with Christian values. Individuals will be held responsible for what they post online. 

As well as the many opportunities that social media activities provide, users should be aware of the associated risks. 

Christ Church Cathedral is committed to the safeguarding of children, and vulnerable adults, and we have a duty to provide a safe space to all using the cathedral, including those accessing our virtual spaces online. 

If a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm, call the emergency services on 999. Do not delay.

What we expect from you:

Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that they and others are safe online. People should participate online in the same way as they would in any other public forum.

Remember that online spaces are public spaces. You cannot always tell who you are talking to and not everybody is engaging in good faith. Anything you post publicly can be seen by a large number of people, and anything you post online may be saved by other users of social media.

It is therefore important to protect your safety, privacy and well-being whilst online:

1. Do not post personal information (address, telephone number, mobile number, private email address) in public online spaces, even if people ask for it. You should not share this information with anyone you do not know well. Bear in mind “personal information” could be anything you wouldn’t want to be seen or known publicly.
2. Consider what people see when you are using video online. Dress appropriately, blur your background and remove anything that might disclose personal information about you such as your location or family pictures.
3. Think carefully before contacting people privately, or meeting someone in person whom you have only met online, and be aware that people are not always who they claim to be.
4. Do not add those you know to be under 18 on social media (this includes using WhatsApp as this is considered social media).
5. If you need to contact under 18s individually as part of your work at Christ Church, please consult with the CSO for the correct process.
6. Carefully consider whether you should be interacting with someone who was under 18 when you first met, or for whom you hold a position of trust (even if they are now an adult). This might be contact on social media, online or in any other form of private messaging/calling (e.g. texts or phone-calls). If in doubt speak to CSO.
7. If someone contacts you online and you are unsure if it is appropriate seek guidance from CSO or your line manager.

1. When you are using video calls, make sure that other people in the room with you are aware of the online rules on keeping safe. If you have children with you, make sure that they are aware that you are online or turn off your camera if they come into the room.
2. Act immediately if you think someone is at risk and call emergency services. If you are unsure about a situation and whether it constitutes a safeguarding issue, please speak to the CSO or your line manager.:
   1. Recognise: Identify any issues and keep yourself safe. 
   2. Respond: Remember how you can keep yourself and others safe.
   3. Record: If you are not happy with something or see something that concerns you make a note of everything so that you have the information when you report it.
   4. Refer: Tell a member of the Cathedral Safeguarding Team or the host representing the Cathedral what you are concerned about. Remember if someone is in immediate danger, contact the emergencies services. Do not delay. Inform the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer, Fiona Sidorowicz or Associate Safeguarding Officers are Matthew Dickins and Charlie Kerr. See contact details at bottom of document. 

1. Remember that you can always log out of, or leave, any online activity to avoid unwelcome situations.
2. Do not hesitate to block people you do not want to interact with. This can be done at any time.
3. In moderated online spaces, report people breaking the rules to the moderator immediately.

1. You are accountable for what you do, say, and write. Text, images, and video shared online can be public and permanent (even if removed, a screen shot may have been taken). If you are not sure, do not post it.
2. Be respectful and be kind. Do not post or share content that is sexually explicit, inflammatory, hateful, abusive, threatening or otherwise disrespectful.
3. Personal and professional life can easily become blurred online so think before you post. If you would not say it aloud in a public place where you are known, you should not post it online.
4. Cathedral staff are reminded to abide by the Christ Church Social Media Policy 2019 as employees of the joint Foundation. 

1. Do not take screenshots or capture images of other people who you can see online without permission from the organiser and the person concerned.
2. Respect copyright and always give credit where it is due. Be careful not to release sensitive or confidential information about something or someone else and always question the source of any content you are considering amplifying.
3. Treat others how you would wish to be treated. If you have a criticism or critique to make, consider not just whether you would say it in person, but the tone you would use. Remember that tone is difficult to convey in text form- consider speaking in person to avoid misunderstandings.
4. Disagree well. Some conversations can be places of robust disagreement and it is important that we apply our values in the way that we express them.

• Consent: Ensure we have appropriate consent and informed how consent can be withdrawn for sharing images of anyone in our public facing media online and otherwise (see broadcasting and photography policies for how this is sought)

1. Christ Church Cathedral will act if they receive complaints about individuals or spot inappropriate, unsuitable, or offensive material posted to public social media accounts.
2. This may include deleting comments, blocking users, or reporting comments as appropriate.
3. Anyone acting illegally and breaking the law will be reported to the Police.
4. Inappropriate online conduct may lead to disciplinary action if you are a member of Christ Church staff, or equivalent processes for volunteers. 

Christ Church Cathedral’s Cathedral Safeguarding Officer is Fiona Sidorowicz and Associate Safeguarding Officers are Matthew Dickins and Charlie Kerr.  If you have a safeguarding concern, contact the Police on 999 if there is a risk of immediate harm, otherwise please email cathedral.safeguarding@chch.ox.ac.uk.