When thinking of filming your minor age swimmers under 18, keep this in mind. The GoSwim App follows the guidelines and has met with USA Swimming Safesport.
The USA Swimming SafeSport program is dedicated to providing a safe environment for all participants, especially minor athletes. When it comes to a coach sharing a video of a minor athlete, the following key policies apply:
1. Parental Consent
- Written Consent Required: A coach must obtain written consent from the minor athlete's parent or guardian before recording or sharing any videos. This consent should specify how the video will be used, where it will be shared, and who will have access to it.
- Informed Consent: Parents should be fully informed about the nature of the video, its intended use, and the platforms on which it will be shared.
2. Appropriate Content
- Sport-Related Content Only: The content of the video must be directly related to the athlete's swimming activities, such as training, practice sessions, or competitions. Videos must not include any non-sport-related activities or footage in private areas like locker rooms or bathrooms.
- No Inappropriate Content: The video must not contain any content that could be considered inappropriate, invasive, or compromising to the athlete's privacy.
3. Privacy Protection
- Limited Personal Information: Videos should not include any personal information about the athlete beyond what is necessary for the context of the video. This includes avoiding any disclosure of the athlete's home address, school, or other identifying details.
- Secure Storage: Any video recordings must be stored securely, ensuring that unauthorized individuals cannot access them.
4. Controlled Distribution
- Restricted Sharing: The distribution of the video must be restricted to the platforms and audiences specified in the parental consent. For example, if the consent allows sharing on a private team page, it should not be shared on public social media without additional consent.
- No Unauthorized Sharing: Sharing the video beyond the agreed-upon scope, such as posting it on unauthorized platforms, is prohibited.
5. No One-on-One Communication
- Avoid One-on-One Interactions: USA Swimming SafeSport policy prohibits one-on-one electronic communication between a coach and a minor athlete, including video sharing, unless a parent or guardian is included in the communication. This policy is in place to prevent situations where misconduct could occur and to maintain transparency.
6. Supervised and Transparent Interaction
- Supervision Encouraged: When recording or sharing videos, the process should be supervised and transparent. This might include having other team staff, parents, or guardians present or aware of the activity.
- Transparency in Use: Coaches should ensure that the use of the video is transparent and aligns with the expectations set by the parental consent.
7. Mandatory Reporting
- Report Concerns: If there are any concerns about the content of the video, its use, or any related interactions, coaches are required to report these immediately to the USA Swimming SafeSport office or appropriate authorities. This is part of the broader mandate to protect athletes from potential abuse or misconduct.
In summary, the USA Swimming SafeSport policy requires that coaches obtain written parental consent before sharing videos of minor athletes, ensure that the content is appropriate and secure, and avoid one-on-one communication with the athlete regarding the video. The policy also emphasizes the importance of transparency, privacy protection, and the mandatory reporting of any concerns related to the video or its use.
