Policies

COURT DE PADEL
STAYING SAFE ONLINE
Online safety guidance for our club community

Court De Padel
2 single Super Panoramic Courts • 6 double Super Panoramic Courts
Toilets & changing facilities

Version 1.0 • Effective: 7 September 2026 • Review: 7 September 2027

1. Purpose

Court De Padel recognises that members, particularly children and young people, may use social media, messaging services, gaming platforms and other digital spaces alongside their participation in padel. This guidance provides practical steps to help our club community stay safe online.

2. Protect Your Personal Information

• Think carefully before sharing your full name, address, phone number, school, workplace, location or other personal information online.
• Check privacy settings regularly and only accept followers, friends or contacts that you know or trust.
• Do not share passwords with other people. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available.
• Be careful when sharing photographs that reveal personal information, locations, travel plans or other people’s details.

3. Think Before You Post

• Remember that posts, photographs, videos and messages can be copied, saved and shared.
• Do not post content that could embarrass, threaten, bully or harm another person.
• Respect other people’s privacy and do not share private conversations or images without permission.
• If you are angry or upset, take time before replying or posting.

4. Social Media and Club Communication

• Use official Court De Padel communication channels for club information where available.
• Be cautious of accounts pretending to represent Court De Padel, staff or coaches.
• Never send money, passwords or sensitive information to someone simply because they claim to be connected with the club.
• Remember that staff and coaches should maintain professional boundaries when communicating with juniors.

5. Recognising Online Bullying and Abuse

Online bullying can include repeated insults, threats, exclusion, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing content, impersonation or unwanted messages. Grooming, sexualised communication, blackmail, threats or attempts to persuade someone to meet privately can also be serious safeguarding concerns.

• Do not respond to threats or abusive messages.
• Save relevant messages, screenshots or other evidence where it is safe to do so.
• Block or report accounts where appropriate.
• Tell a trusted adult, parent/carer, coach or member of Court De Padel management if something online makes you feel unsafe.

6. Children and Young People

Children and young people should feel able to ask for help without fear of being blamed or judged. Parents, carers, coaches and trusted adults should encourage open conversations about online experiences.

• Never meet an online contact in person without a trusted adult knowing and appropriate safety arrangements being in place.
• Do not send intimate or sexual images. If someone asks for them, tell a trusted adult and seek help.
• Do not allow someone online to pressure you into keeping secrets from parents, carers or other trusted adults.
• Tell someone if you are threatened, blackmailed, groomed or made to feel uncomfortable online.

7. Images and Video

• Think carefully before posting images or videos of yourself or others.
• Do not share images taken in changing rooms, toilets or other private areas.
• Do not record or share someone who is injured, distressed or being targeted for entertainment.
• Respect requests from people who do not want their image shared.
• Follow the Court De Padel Photography & Filming Policy when creating or sharing club-related content.

8. Online Scams and Fake Accounts

• Check the identity of anyone claiming to represent Court De Padel before providing information or making payments.
• Be suspicious of unexpected links, prize messages, urgent payment requests or requests for passwords.
• Do not download unknown files or apps simply because someone sends you a link.
• Report suspected scams or fake club accounts to Court De Padel management and the relevant platform.

9. If Something Goes Wrong

If you see or experience something online that makes you feel unsafe, you do not have to deal with it alone.

• Tell someone you trust.
• Keep evidence where appropriate.
• Block and report the account if doing so is safe.
• Contact Court De Padel management if the issue is connected with the club.
• Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a criminal matter, contact the police or emergency services.

10. Safeguarding

Online concerns involving a child or adult at risk will be treated as safeguarding concerns and managed in accordance with the Court De Padel Safeguarding Policy. The club will take concerns seriously and share information appropriately to help protect people from harm.

11. Review

This guidance will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to online risks, technology, legislation, safeguarding guidance or the club’s digital activities.

Court De Padel • Staying Safe Online Guidance • Version 1.0