PowerPoint Presentation

Changes to the Social Media PolicyPolicies and training for the Office of Communications

Welcome to the Diocesan Policies and Training Series for the Office of CommunicationsThis component contains information about recent changes to the Social Media Policy for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas.

1Policy AudienceEmployees, clerics and volunteers, such as:

Communications Directors for parishesDirectors of ministries with an online presenceWebmasters and Social Media content managersAnyone who volunteers with the parish and has an online social media account identifying themselves as a volunteer or employee of the parish

The Diocese of Dallas and its affiliates recognize that in todays environment, with the increasing prevalence of the Internet, employees, clerics and volunteers will use the Internet to conduct ministry work and to communicate with associates and friends. The diocese encourages administrators, pastors and principals to support Internet use and to give employees, clerics and volunteers the necessary training and tools to interact safely and responsibly online. However, those using the Internet should bear in mind that certain comments and information may have a harmful effect on the Diocese of Dallas, its reputation and its employees. In light of this possibility, employees, clerics and volunteers are required to adhere to the following policy regarding the use of personal and ministry websites including social networks and blogs. 2Change #1Personal Blogs and Personal Social Media Profiles

3OLD PolicyPersonal Blogs

In the event an employee or cleric identifies himself/herself as, or is manifestly understood to be, an employee or cleric of the Diocese of Dallas or its affiliates on a personal blog (or other website with a similar purpose), to help reduce the potential for confusion, the employee is required to put the following notice in a reasonably prominent place on the website:

The views expressed on this website are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

4Current PolicyPersonal Blogs and Personal Profiles on Social Media Platforms

To help reduce the potential for confusion, when an employee or cleric identifies himself/herself as, or is manifestly understood to be, an employee or cleric of the Diocese of Dallas or its affiliates on a personal blog, a personal profile for a social media platform, or other website with a similar purpose, the employee is required to put the following notice in a reasonably prominent place on the website or profile:

The views expressed on this [website, personal profile, etc.] are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

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6Change #2Friending Children on Social Media

7OLD PolicyWhen Communicating with Children Using Social Media or Other Electronic Communication:

There must be at least two adults with administrative rights for each Social Media account used for ministry communication. Personal Social Media accounts must not be used for ministry communication.

The primary purpose of such communication shall be for providing information related to a ministry or event and not for socialization or other personal interaction. Counseling of children through such communication methods is not permitted.

When using a ministry Social Media account, adults must not initiate friend requests with children, but may accept friend requests from children who are involved in the particular ministry.

8Current PolicyWhen Communicating with Children Using Social Media or Other Electronic Communication: Personal Social Media accounts must not be used for ministry communication. Adults must not initiate or accept friend requests with children using their personal profiles on Facebook and other social media platforms.

The primary purpose of such communication shall be for providing information related to a ministry or event and not for socialization or other personal interaction. Counseling of children through such communication methods is not permitted.

Children may Like public Facebook pages and other official social media accounts for a ministry where children are involved.

9Diocesan Policy ListFind these and other Diocesan Policies and Procedures atwww.cathdal.org

Thank you for your ministry in the Diocese of Dallas!

You may find these and other diocesan policies and procedures at www.cathdal.org, listed under the Social Media Policy. We thank you for your ministry in the Diocese of Dallas.10