It is hoped the idea will help create a positive space online and prevent the opportunity for harm.

Members have been appointed in the build-up to this year's IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships in Sofia, which will see athletes aged between 12 and 17 compete from July 30 to August 1.

The panel also coincides with the IMMAF expanding its social media presence by joining video platform TikTok.

Andreas Georgiou, the IMMAF's social media manager, will chair the panel which will help athletes with guidance, creative ideas, content and support sessions.

Youth and social media safeguarding guidelines for 2021 have been published by the IMMAF, which will also offer incentives and rewards for positive online use by its athletes.

"Social media is hugely powerful in its capacity to bring together disparate international communities and can be a tremendous force for good in enabling participants to share and celebrate their achievements together and for the syndication of knowledge and education," said IMMAF President Kerrith Brown.

"Its democratising potential has been highlighted more than ever during the pandemic, through which we have been able to develop deeper relationships with our members who have been able to come together more frequently than ever as a community, online.

"It is the duty of IMMAF as a governing body to lead in creating a positive framework for our online community, as we do in IMMAF's competition and governance spaces and as a key part of our youth development work. 

"As our younger athletes navigate the social media space, IMMAF is committed to supporting their right to a safe environment. 

"We propose to mentor and support our young athletes in building their profiles in a savvy way that benefits their careers, while guiding them away from potentially costly mistakes and protecting them from harm."

IMMAF public relations assistant Juliana Daguano will serve as deputy chair of the panel, while the governing body will also be represented by member development consultant and athlete commission liaison Jorden Curran.

Athletes involved include world silver medallists Reo Yamaguchi of Japan, Jasmine Favero of Italy and Shauna Bannon of Ireland.

They are joined by world bronze medallist Colleen Augustin of Malaysia and Ireland's Youth A gold medallist Sarah Elliott.

Two youth representatives have also been chosen - Hannah Wagstaff and Rhonin Swenson of the United States.