Using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to Keep Kids Safe in Sport: A New Era of Thorough Background Checks

Ensuring the safety of children in sports is paramount, and while traditional background checks—often limited to local criminal record checks—have long been a standard part of the hiring process for coaches, volunteers, and other adults interacting with youth athletes, they may not go far enough. With the growth of digital platforms and online presence, the concept of “open source intelligence” (OSINT) has emerged as a powerful tool to improve child safety by providing a deeper, more comprehensive view of an individual’s background.

What is Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)?

Open Source Intelligence refers to the collection and analysis of publicly available information from the internet, social media platforms, databases, forums, and other open sources. Unlike traditional investigative methods, OSINT focuses on data that is freely accessible, allowing organizations to expand their search for potential risks beyond the limited scope of criminal records.

In the context of youth sports, OSINT can be leveraged to perform more thorough background checks on coaches, referees, and other adults who interact with young athletes. By tapping into online sources, organizations can uncover information that traditional criminal checks might miss—potential red flags like inappropriate online behavior, past allegations, or troubling associations.

Why Traditional Criminal Checks Aren’t Enough

Criminal background checks typically focus on local or national databases of criminal convictions, which are crucial for identifying individuals with violent offenses or specific criminal histories. However, these checks have limitations:

1. Geographic Limitations: Criminal checks often cover only a specific jurisdiction, meaning an individual could have a clean record in one area but a history of misconduct elsewhere.

2. Incomplete Records: Not all criminal offenses are always recorded or reported, particularly if they don’t lead to formal convictions. In some cases, criminal records may be sealed or expunged, making them difficult to access.

3. Failure to Address Behavioral Red Flags: Traditional checks focus on criminal activity, but they don’t account for behaviors that may raise concern for child safety but don’t necessarily result in legal consequences—such as inappropriate social media posts, online harassment, or troubling associations.

How OSINT Enhances Background Checks for Kid Safety

1. Social Media Monitoring: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer a wealth of personal information. By analyzing these accounts, sports organizations can identify potentially harmful content, such as offensive comments, inappropriate pictures, or posts that suggest a lack of professionalism or respect for boundaries. For example, a coach’s history of making inappropriate jokes or comments about children, even if they don’t involve criminal activity, could indicate an unsafe individual to work with young athletes.

2. Online Reputation: OSINT can help identify any online controversies or past behavior that might raise concerns. Websites, blogs, or public records might reveal instances of online harassment, bullying, or involvement in inappropriate groups or forums. While these actions may not always result in criminal charges, they can signal concerning behavior patterns.

3. Association with Questionable Groups: Open-source intelligence can also be used to assess the groups, organizations, or communities an individual is affiliated with online. Membership in extremist groups, or organizations with a history of misconduct, could be uncovered through OSINT analysis, even if the person hasn’t been convicted of any crime.

4. Cross-Referencing Data: OSINT allows for cross-referencing various online sources to create a more complete picture of a person’s history. A person may not have a criminal record in one region, but online forums or previous work engagements may uncover past allegations of misconduct, even if those allegations didn’t result in formal charges.

Best Practices for Using OSINT in Youth Sports

1. Clear Policies and Permissions: It’s essential to have clear policies in place for using OSINT during background checks. Parents, guardians, and coaches should be informed about the scope of the checks and give their consent for deeper scrutiny of their online presence. Transparency is key to maintaining trust.

2. Focus on Relevant Information: When utilizing OSINT, ensure that the focus remains on behaviors and patterns relevant to working with children. Personal information such as political beliefs or private life should not be considered unless they directly relate to the individual’s ability to provide a safe environment for young athletes.

3. Comprehensive Approach: OSINT should be just one part of a broader background check system. It should complement traditional criminal checks, interviews, reference checks, and other vetting measures to provide a more rounded view of a candidate’s suitability for working with kids.

4. Regular Monitoring: OSINT is not a one-time check. Given the evolving nature of online content, it’s a good idea for sports organizations to periodically review the online activity of staff or volunteers, especially when there’s an ongoing relationship with the youth athletes.

Conclusion

In the digital age, open source intelligence offers a powerful tool for enhancing child safety in sports. By going beyond traditional criminal background checks and integrating OSINT, sports organizations can better identify potential risks and ensure that coaches and volunteers are safe, professional, and trustworthy. While privacy concerns and legal limitations must be carefully navigated, when used ethically and transparently, OSINT can be a crucial step toward creating a safer environment for kids in sports.