Can I text or message my players and follow them on social media?

It depends on the player's age and the stream, under Ontario Soccer's Electronic Communication and Social Media Policy. A coach is a "Person in Authority" under it, and conduct on these media is subject to the Code of Conduct and Ethics and the Discipline and Complaints Policy.

Competition / high performance stream, players 13-18 (Level 2, many conditions):

• Communication should be open and observable where possible. If it cannot be, keep a log and make it available to your member organization or the player's parent or guardian on request.
• For non-personal information (such as training times), message the player and parents or guardians at the same time, for example by copying a parent on emails.
• Avoid initiating contact on social media. You may accept friend or follow requests only if communication is public (not private messaging), is limited to content that furthers the player's athletic goals, and parents know it may happen.
• Do not use platforms that automatically delete content (such as Snapchat).

Community recreational stream, players 13-18 (Level 1): do not initiate electronic or social media contact, and reject or block contact the player starts. Communicate through parents or guardians or face to face.

Children younger than 13: the policy also says to reject requests to communicate directly in most cases, and to deal with parents or guardians instead.

Source: Ontario Soccer Participant Safety Policies and Guides (30 June 2026), Electronic Communication and Social Media Policy, Appendices A and B.