English Chess Forum

WhatsApp is a vital communication medium for many chess clubs but sometimes it can get out of hand. Does any club have a Code of Conduct for members of its WhatsApp Group?

I am sure various codes of conduct could be adapted to the shenanigans that go on. What are you thinking of? Is it comments on results, comments on individual moves if games are being discussed? Comments that are too personal about someone's standard of play? About people on the opposing team? I suppose you could divide it into chess comments, general chess club-related comments, and non-chess comments (e.g. if conversation veers off topic and becomes political or incivil or the language used is unacceptable)? But always a bit of a minefield to police that sort of thing.

There are a number of potential transgressions - off topic posts, irrelevant personal issues, politics, religion, abuse, foul language, threats, defamation, obscenity, harassment and general unpleasantness. I hasten to add that Kingston Chess Club does not admit to any of these occurences.

You might want to consider whether to include safeguarding provisions (both for underage players and women and other groups that may face discriminatory language and actions):

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=14627

https://www.englishchess.org.uk/safegua ... d-the-ecf/

We aim to make the chess environment a safe, inclusive, and supported activity for all.

Maybe the ECF Safeguarding Team might be able to help with a Code of Conduct?

Safeguarding is important - we exclude juniors from our WhatsApp group. Note that WhatsApp groups may not "belong" to a club but the club may still be liable if someone feels the club should have intervened. This happened recently with the parents' WhatsApp groups criticising teachers who then sued the school / called the police. The equivalent would be players taking action because they were abused on the WhatsApp group. At least ECF has distanced itself from the ECForum so would not be liable for transgressions here.

US National Security, Aberdeenshire schools, clearly chess clubs will be the next scandal...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... d-67490215
(WhatsApp messages show teachers mocking vulnerable pupils)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dj1zlvxglo
(Police review couple's arrest in school WhatsApp row)

https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/par ... -c90f5n7rd
(School lawyers write rules for parent WhatsApp groups)

All a bit of an eye-opener.

John Foley wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:05 pm

At least ECF has distanced itself from the ECForum so would not be liable for transgressions here.

Conveniently it also leaves them in a position where any decisions made are completely unaccountable to anybody other then the rest of the the ecf officials