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SOCIAL MEDIA,
INTERNET AND DIGITAL POLICY


INTRODUCTION

Starmaker Theatre Company recognises that digital technology, the internet and social media provide valuable opportunities for communication, creativity, learning, promotion and engagement.

Technology is an important part of modern theatre practice, including:

  • Communicating with members and families;

  • Sharing rehearsal information;

  • Promoting productions and events;

  • Supporting learning and development;

  • Creating and sharing performance content.

However, Starmaker recognises that online activity also presents safeguarding risks, particularly for children and young people.

This policy sets out the standards expected when using internet services, social media, websites, digital equipment, photography, video and online communication.

 


PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Promote safe and responsible use of technology;

  • Protect children, young people, staff and volunteers online;

  • Provide guidance on appropriate digital communication;

  • Reduce risks associated with social media, online platforms and digital content;

  • Ensure compliance with safeguarding and data protection responsibilities.

 


SCOPE

This policy applies to:

  • Children and young people attending Starmaker activities;

  • Parents and carers;

  • Paid staff;

  • Freelance workers;

  • Volunteers;

  • Trustees and committee members;

  • Production teams;

  • Anyone representing Starmaker theatre company.

It applies to:

  • Websites;

  • Social media platforms;

  • Messaging applications;

  • Email;

  • Online groups;

  • Chat rooms;

  • Video sharing platforms;

  • Digital photography and filming;

  • Computers, tablets and mobile phones;

  • Any other internet-enabled technology.

 


OUR COMMITMENT

Starmaker Theatre Company believes that:

  • Children and young people should be protected from harm online;

  • Technology should be used positively and responsibly;

  • Everyone has a responsibility to behave respectfully online;

  • Personal information must be protected;

  • Online communication should maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

We will promote safe digital practices and respond appropriately to concerns about online behaviour.

 


INTERNET SAFETY

Children, young people, staff and volunteers should:

  • Use the internet responsibly;

  • Respect other people online;

  • Avoid sharing personal information unnecessarily;

  • Report anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried;

  • Follow age restrictions and platform rules;

  • Understand that online content can be permanent.

Starmaker will encourage members to think carefully before posting, sharing or commenting online.

 


USE OF DIGITAL EQUIPMENT

Starmaker recognises that digital equipment may be used during activities, including:

  • Computers;

  • Tablets;

  • Cameras;

  • Video equipment;

  • Mobile phones;

  • Recording equipment.

All equipment must be used appropriately.

Staff and volunteers must:

  • Use equipment responsibly;

  • Protect passwords and access information;

  • Avoid storing unnecessary personal information;

  • Report lost or stolen equipment immediately;

  • Follow data protection procedures.

Children and young people must not use digital equipment to:

  • Bully or harass others;

  • Access inappropriate material;

  • Record others without permission;

  • Share content without consent.

 


PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND DIGITAL CONTENT

Photography and filming must always comply with Starmaker Theatre Company’s Photography and Filming Policy.

Staff, volunteers and production team members must:

  • Only take images for approved Starmaker purposes;

  • Ensure appropriate consent has been obtained;

  • Use images responsibly;

  • Avoid identifying children unnecessarily;

  • Store images securely;

  • Delete images from personal devices once transferred where authorised.

Photography and filming are prohibited in:

  • Dressing rooms;

  • Toilets;

  • Private areas where individuals have an expectation of privacy.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA USE

Starmaker Theatre Company uses social media to:

  • Promote performances and activities;

  • Celebrate achievements;

  • Communicate with families and supporters.

Only authorised individuals may post on official Starmaker social media accounts.

Posts must:

  • Represent Starmaker positively;

  • Protect children and young people;

  • Avoid sharing confidential information;

  • Follow consent requirements;

  • Reflect Starmaker’s values.

 

STAFF AND VOLUNTEER SOCIAL MEDIA RULES

Staff, volunteers and trustees must maintain appropriate professional boundaries online.

They must not:

  • Add members or students under 18 years of age to personal social media accounts;

  • Communicate privately with members or students under 18 years of age through personal accounts;

  • Share photographs or videos of members or students under 18 years of age on personal accounts;

  • Discuss confidential Starmaker matters online;

  • Post content that could damage the reputation of Starmaker.

Where communication with members is necessary, approved Starmaker communication channels should be used.

 


MESSAGING APPLICATIONS AND ONLINE GROUPS

Starmaker may use approved digital communication platforms to support activities.

Examples may include:

  • Parent communication groups;

  • Rehearsal information groups;

  • Production communication platforms.

  • Cast member communication on authorised Starmaker WhatsApp account that is monitored by at least four management committee members

Where online groups are used:

  • Administrators must be authorised Starmaker representatives;

  • Communication should remain appropriate and professional;

  • Personal contact details should be protected;

  • Children should not be privately messaged by adults unless there is an approved safeguarding reason and appropriate oversight.

Where children and young people are included in online communication groups, parents/carers should be informed and appropriate safeguards applied.

 


CHAT ROOMS, ONLINE FORUMS AND GAMING PLATFORMS

Staff and volunteers must never communicate with children and young people through:

  • Private chat rooms;

  • Gaming platforms;

  • Anonymous online forums;

  • Personal messaging accounts;

unless this forms part of an approved Starmaker activity with appropriate safeguards.

Children and young people should be encouraged not to share:

  • Their full name;

  • Address;

  • School details;

  • Telephone number;

  • Passwords;

  • Personal photographs;

  • Private information.

 


WEBSITE USE

Starmaker Theatre Company’s website may include:

  • Information about activities;

  • Performance details;

  • News;

  • Photographs and videos where consent has been provided;

  • Fundraising information.

  • Cast lists for Starmaker Theatre Company

The website must not publish:

  • Personal contact details of children;

  • Unnecessary personal information;

  • Information that could identify a child’s location or routine.

All website content should be reviewed by authorised individuals before publication.

 


CYBER SECURITY AND PASSWORDS

Everyone responsible for Starmaker digital systems must:

  • Keep passwords confidential;

  • Use secure passwords;

  • Avoid sharing login details;

  • Log out of systems when not in use;

  • Report suspected cyber security issues.

Unauthorised access to Starmaker systems or information is prohibited.

 


ONLINE BULLYING AND HARMFUL BEHAVIOUR

Starmaker Theatre Company does not tolerate:

  • Cyberbullying;

  • Harassment;

  • Threats;

  • Discriminatory comments;

  • Sharing harmful or inappropriate content;

  • Misuse of photographs or videos.

Concerns involving children or young people will be managed in accordance with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

 


REPORTING CONCERNS

Concerns about online safety, digital behaviour or misuse of technology should be reported to:

  • Welfare Officer / Designated Safeguarding Lead;

  • Company Manager;

  • Operations Manager;

  • Chairman of Trustees.

Examples of concerns include:

  • Inappropriate messages;

  • Online bullying;

  • Sharing images without consent;

  • Inappropriate contact with children;

  • Online abuse or exploitation.

All safeguarding concerns will be managed according to Starmaker’s safeguarding procedures.

 


DATA PROTECTION

All digital activity must comply with Starmaker Theatre Company’s Data Protection Policy.

Personal information must:

  • Only be collected where necessary;

  • Be stored securely;

  • Only be accessed by authorised individuals;

  • Not be shared without appropriate permission or legal justification.

 


RESPONSIBILITIES

Trustees and management committee are responsible for ensuring:

  • Appropriate digital safeguarding measures are in place;

  • Policies are reviewed regularly;

  • Concerns are addressed.

Staff and volunteers must:

  • Follow this policy;

  • Act as positive online role models;

  • Maintain professional boundaries;

  • Report concerns.

Children and Young People are expected to:

  • Use technology responsibly;

  • Respect others online;

  • Follow Starmaker’s code of conduct.

 

REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed every three years or sooner if required due to changes in legislation or government guidance, or the charity's operations.

Approved by: Board of Trustees July 2026

Review Frequency: Every three years

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