Safe Sports Guide for Parents

The U.S. Center for SafeSport recommends parents keep these guidelines in mind:

• Restate family values and expectations about appropriate behavior. Talk about how you expect your child to behave and how they should expect to be treated by others.
• Learn about the apps and websites your child is using, including how to control the privacy settings. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has a library of internet safety resources for adults and children.
• Create clear guidelines about use of technology in your family’s current context. Include any new apps or platforms being used and set parameters around unsupervised use of technology.
• Talk with your child about the potential for peer-to-peer abuse and adult-to-athlete abuse. The Center has a variety of free parent and age-appropriate youth resources that can help.
• Have your child use webcams (especially during private lessons) in a common area or a room with the door open. Bedrooms or bathrooms are discouraged. Make sure they are aware of what and who is visible in the webcam or video shot. Cameras should also be covered when not in use.
• Maintain open lines of communication with your child and pay attention to their emotional state. Staying connected with friends and teammates is incredibly important for their mental health but can also open the door to hurtful and abusive behavior. Even if you are with your child all day, ask them about their day and check-in with them.