In a digitally connected era, U.S. Figure Skating athletes, coaches, officials — and especially minors — must navigate online spaces responsibly. Both U.S. Figure Skating’s SkateSafe® policies and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Know2Protect campaign provide complementary guidance on safe, age-appropriate digital engagement.
SkateSafe® Policies
Any electronic communication between an Adult Participant and a Minor Athlete must include a second adult — a parent, legal guardian or another adult participant — ensuring transparency and accountability.
All communication including emails, texts, direct messages and live video meetings must be non-personal, public-facing and focused solely on skating-related topics. Virtual sessions must occur in open, non-private settings using approved platforms and follow Two-Deep Leadership.
Social Media Policies and Best Practices
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Adults and minors should not connect via private personal social accounts.
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Use official pages for communication; avoid private or unmonitored chats.
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Posting photos/videos of any Minor Athletes requires written parental consent.
Please take the time to review the U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe Handbook®.
Know2Protect
June is Internet Safety Month, and a great time to start or revisit conversations with kids about healthy online habits. Know2Protect’s #DigitalBoundaries summertime campaign runs June through July and offers free, practical tools to support safer summer screen time.
These tools equips communities with educational materials and actionable strategies to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). Key campaign resources include:
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Downloadable social media graphics, email banners, digital posters and TV bulletin slides.
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A Social Media toolkit with downloadable content and sample posts promoting best practices
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Educational materials tailored for youth and educators, such as message checklists and safety agreements.
You can find these resources here.
Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to grow, learn and thrive, in person and online. Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility, but online child sexual exploitation and abuse is still on the rise. Online child sexual exploitation and abuse is a horrific crime that targets some of the most vulnerable people in our community — our children. It includes a broad range of criminal acts that involve victimizing a minor, often for sexual gratification or some other personal or financial gain. Join the Know2Protect campaign in the fight against this escalating crime and learn how you can make a difference by visiting know2protect.gov.
