Social Media & Mobile Devices


St Michael's Church, Tilehurst

Guide To The Safe Use Of Social Media & Mobile Devices

Social Media usage is widespread and can provide churches with a valuable way of publicising their work and events.  However it is important that church workers and volunteers follow good practice to reduce the risk of any potential harm especially to children, young people or vulnerable adults. 

Best Practice

  1. Avoid one-to-one on-line chat between adults and young people.
  2. Maintain appropriate boundaries in the on-line world.  It is important to keep a distinction between our private lives and our work within the church.
  3. Do not use personal accounts to contact children, young people or vulnerable adults. It is better to create an account for any group so that members can all see what is shared and events and activities can be publicised.
  4. Conversations between leaders and members should happen in the public section not as a direct message.
  5. Make parents aware of any social media used by the group and ensure they consent to their child using it.
  6. Treat on-line consent the same as off-line consent.  You need consent of the young people and/or their parents to use or store photos.  Please see church policy on the use of images.
  7. Behave in the online world as you would in the real world.  Do not post links to offensive or otherwise inappropriate content or make comments about someone’s appearance that could be construed as sexualised or offensive.

Mobile Devices

If a church employee or volunteer is required to use a mobile phone as part of their work they should be provided with a phone dedicated for work purposes.

This allows for the phone to be switched off outside working hours or when not volunteering.  The personal number of the worker or volunteer remains private and usage can be monitored.

The worker or volunteer should sign an agreement to agree that they will use it only in accordance with Church policy.

Further detailed guidance is available in “Safer Environment and Activities” published by the Church of England.