For Communication with Children and Young People:

Obtain Explicit Consent:

Get written consent from parents/guardians to add their child to a WhatsApp group and to use their contact number. 

Use a Non-Personal Number:

Use a church-issued mobile or dedicated ministry account instead of a personal phone number. 

Minimum Two Leaders:

Ensure a minimum of two leaders are in any group chat with young people or a similar number of parents/guardians for monitoring. 

Parental Knowledge:

Inform parents about the group's purpose and what is being communicated. 

Avoid One-to-One Communication:

Where possible, avoid direct, private conversations with children or vulnerable adults to prevent misunderstandings and maintain transparency. 

Set to Private and Group-Only:

Configure a WhatsApp group as private and only accept members from the intended youth or church group. 

For All Communication:

Respect Privacy:

Do not share sensitive personal details or information not relevant to the group's purpose. 

Be Mindful of Content:

Remember that anything shared online can become public; be cautious about sharing content that could be misconstrued or taken out of context. 

Be Professional:

Use clear, unambiguous language and avoid abbreviations or 'Church' jargon that could be misinterpreted. 

Know the Risks:

Be aware of increased risks of phone fraud and scams, and avoid sharing financial or sensitive information. 

General Best Practices:

Document Everything:

Keep records of consent forms and conversations for transparency and to provide evidence when required. 

Stay Informed:

Check for annual reviews of the social media policy and any updates from the diocese or church leadership. 

Be Proactive:

Report inappropriate comments or suspicious activity to your Safeguarding Officer or other church leaders.