Common use of Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications Clause in Contracts

Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications. Coaches, team managers, and players may use email and text messaging to communicate. All email and text message content between coaches/team staff and minor Participants must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Emails and text messages from a coach/team staff to any minor Participant must include a copy to the player’s parents. Social Media and Group Chats Among Players Minor hockey players often create group chats through texting or other social media applications. Such group chats are concerning because Minors may engage in bullying behavior, sexual misconduct, harassment, threats, discriminatory and other inappropriate conduct that may violate policies of USA Hockey. Group chats among Minor hockey players should be supervised by an adult to mitigate these risks. Request To Discontinue All Electronic Communications or Imagery with an Athlete Following receipt of a written request by the parents of a minor Participant that their child not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by coaches or other adults in the program, the Member Program, team, coaches and administrators shall immediately comply with such request without any repercussions for such request. Abuse and Misconduct Social media and other means of electronic communication can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by any employee, volunteer, independent contractor, or other participant of a USA Hockey Member Program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s Safe Sport Program.

Text Messaging and Similar Electronic Communications. Coaches, team managers, and players may use email and text messaging to communicate. All email and text message content between coaches/team staff managers and minor Participants must be non-personal in nature and be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Emails and text messages from a coach/team staff coach to any minor Participant must include a copy to the player’s parents. Social Media and Group Chats Among Players Minor hockey players often create group chats through texting or other social media applications. Such group chats are concerning because Minors may engage in bullying behavior, sexual misconduct, harassment, threats, discriminatory and other inappropriate conduct that may violate policies of USA Hockey. Group chats among Minor hockey players should be supervised by an adult to mitigate these risks. Request To Discontinue All Electronic Communications or Imagery with an Athlete Following receipt of a written request by the parents of a minor Participant that their child not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by coaches or other adults in the program, the Member Program, team, coaches and administrators shall immediately comply with such request without any repercussions for such request. Abuse and Misconduct Social media and other means of electronic communication can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g., emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such communications by any employee, volunteer, independent contractor, or other participant of a USA Hockey Member Program will not be tolerated and are considered violations of USA Hockey’s Safe Sport SafeSport Program.