SALLY

PENRITH yesterday became the first NRL club to controversially ban their players from using the social networking websites Facebook and Twitter.

The move comes after the Australian Federal Police spoke with club officials yesterday about privacy and security issues on the sites.

Should players be banned from Facebook? Vote below left

Just last week, Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne's father and former Souths player Manoa Thompson lashed out at the "faceless grubs" who posed as his son on Facebook.

Penrith's Michael Jennings (pictured) said: "I'm on Facebook but if it's policy not to be, I'll go off. I don't add random people to my friends."

Facebook participants can access private information of other users, including birthdate, email address, marital status, likes, dislikes, friends, daily activities, employers, favourite movies, television and music, siblings, interests, religious views and personal photos.

The AFP has spoken to players from Brisbane, Continued page 85

North Queensland, Gold Coast, Canberra and Melbourne about Facebook and Twitter and will visit the remaining clubs in coming weeks.

NRL players posting excessive personal information and photos on Facebook could become victims of identity theft, according to the AFP.

"As a club, we have a duty of care to protect our players at all times," Panthers chief executive Mick Leary told The Daily Telegraph.

"We don't want our players using these social networking websites. They are an invasion of privacy. They can be dangerous.

"People get stalked on these type of pages. All our players must protect their private lives, particularly as elite sportspeople."

Hundreds of NRL players, including Anthony Watmough, Josh Morris, Ben Hannant, Ben Ross and Ben Barba, use Facebook, while Hayne, Lote Tuqiri and Sam Burgess are frequently on Twitter.

The Broncos have added a clause to their code of conduct that states any player posting a detrimental comment on Facebook or Twitter could be fined or suspended.

Football giants Manchester United banned players from social networking sites, while American NFL clubs have barred players from updating their sites during matches.

NRL clubs are deeply concerned about what players post in their status bar and whether their party photos are a "bad look".

"We have told them to be very careful - we have cautioned them," Eels CEO Paul Osborne said.

Manly chief executive Graham Lowe said: "Social media is here to stay but privacy issues are a worry."

Thompson posted a status last week that said: "To all my family and friends on Facebook, there's a couple of faceless grubs posing as Jarryd Hayne. Jarryd doesn't go by this name on FB. If you're a friend of his, you'll know what name he goes by so please delete him and spread the word."










http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225898181787

do your very best then forget it

lukesimpson

ive got ben barba and jamal on facebook

ASOFUKNTASI

lol