My 13 year old son has a phone, but is completely uninterested in it. He likes his XBox, but never wants to bring his phone anywhere. It's currently sitting on his desk, completely uncharged. That aside, I just don't see the need for the coach to text my son. They talk at practice. I'm the one driving him everywhere, it's more important that he texts me with time changes. If my child is sick, it's me who ultimately decides he's not going. For school work, I completely see why the teacher has his email, to get feedback, answer questions, reschedule tests, turn in homework, etc. etc. For soccer... I just don't see the point... unless there is a language barrier with the parent, or some other good reason that doesn't pertain to us.

team snap has to ability to do group messages. This is how our coach communicates with the team and it seems the safest

Kelly Curin's parents knew that her swim coach NCAP aka curl burke swim club was in contact with their daughter, how did that turn out?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google grooming. A coach who has taken the proper courses also know never to text the child. Everything goes through you.

At that age yes. I coach HS girls and I text them directly. Age is key.

you are playing with fire, all it takes in one kid to say they felt uncomfortable or say you said something and your career is shot.

Grooming happens at any age, look at the Ohio state wrestling team, Michigan state gymnastics teams, Pen State

To the PP coach, do you text each one individually or do you text your players directly as part of a group text? Using a group text is safer for you.

Anonymous wrote:The helicopters are hovering.

It’s not helicoptering. It’s about accountability. Like it or not, there are bad actors out there. How many times do we have to hear about a swim coach sleeping with a team member or a child molested by someone running a program? Including another adult in communications protects the child and the program. It’s standard operating procedure for any org that doesn’t want to get sued down the road.

Anonymous wrote:The helicopters are hovering.

Regardless of what you think about hovering, the above posters are accurately stating required safeguards in Scouting and swimming, that are based on youth protection standards adopted after years of abuse.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google grooming. A coach who has taken the proper courses also know never to text the child. Everything goes through you.

At that age yes. I coach HS girls and I text them directly. Age is key.

you are playing with fire, all it takes in one kid to say they felt uncomfortable or say you said something and your career is shot.

Grooming happens at any age, look at the Ohio state wrestling team, Michigan state gymnastics teams, Pen State

3 kids from HS to MS both boys and girls. That’s normal and has been that way since bout 7th grade for all 3 when whole team had phones. I don’t communicate at all with any of their coaches unless the coach asks to meet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Completely inappropriate, even if some people think it's the norm. It may be "normal" but wrong.

Why? My son sends hitting practice videos to his coach, lets him know if he will miss practice, etc. They aren’t chatting for fun.

Is there an age you would find this to be appropriate? Would you find email to be ok? Not trying to be argumentative; really trying to understand how it is wrong.

You should be included in the text chain. It protects the child and the coach (and the organization that runs the program), ensuring everything stays aboveboard.

The helicopters are hovering.

Anonymous wrote:For swimming, USA Swimming rules, require that any communication between a coach and a swimmer under the age of 18 must also include a parent. A swim coach cannot have one-on-one communication with one of their swimmers. This is true for any form of communication, text, email, etc.

Same with Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts. No private communications allowed. Another adult must be included on any texts or emails. Makes sense to me. In your scenario, op, I’d have the child include you on any messages.

For swimming, USA Swimming rules, require that any communication between a coach and a swimmer under the age of 18 must also include a parent. A swim coach cannot have one-on-one communication with one of their swimmers. This is true for any form of communication, text, email, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Google grooming. A coach who has taken the proper courses also know never to text the child. Everything goes through you.

At that age yes. I coach HS girls and I text them directly. Age is key.

Anonymous wrote:
Completely inappropriate, even if some people think it's the norm. It may be "normal" but wrong.

Why? My son sends hitting practice videos to his coach, lets him know if he will miss practice, etc. They aren’t chatting for fun.

Is there an age you would find this to be appropriate? Would you find email to be ok? Not trying to be argumentative; really trying to understand how it is wrong.

at 13 they are nearing the age where they need to learn responsibility and self advocacy. I'm want to be on the chain, but I also wouldn't ever reply to anything on it or initiate a conversation on DD's behalf