Social media and safeguarding Ensuring social media is used appropriately and positively Iain Luxford Media & Marketing Manager, ESCC 15 January, 2019
What we will cover: • Social media in East Sussex • Why we should use it • The risks for schools • Facebook Pages v Groups • Why parents groups are good • Working with parents’ groups • The responsibility of the group admin • Personal abuse – libel • Protecting children • Setting expectations and managing criticism • The law on your side
East Sussex - 2017 • 94% of residents use the internet • 69% use Facebook (42% in 2014) • 36% use Twitter (13% in 2014) • 71% use YouTube (31% in 2014) • 32% use Instagram • 24% use Snapchat • 24% use Pinterest • 20% use LinkedIn
Why use social media • It’s where your audience is! • Audience expectations – comms should be for them • You control content and who can access it • Your page can be as interactive and open as you wish • It’s two-way and enhances face to face communication • In an increasingly competitive world it enhances your visibility and profile • Builds reputation, confidence, trust in an organisation • We can use people who are participating as a resource • It can save time – providing a definitive source of information and reference, preventing phone calls • It’s cheap – apart from time • Analytics
• Inappropriate identification of children • Personal targeting of staff members • Conflict between individuals • Inappropriate sharing of confidential info • Inappropriate use of language • Spreading of rumours and misinformation • Negativity, moaning and criticism!
Pages v Groups Even amongst seasoned Facebook users, there can be some confusion about the difference between Facebook Pages and Groups. Pages Groups • • A Facebook Page is like a bulletin Facebook Groups are where board for organizations, businesses, people with a common interests brands and public figures. can come together and share ideas, ask questions etc. • The page owner controls the • content and access. Content is generated by all members of the group. • Those who have "liked" a Page will • see its updates in their News Feeds Groups can be “open” so anyone and will be able to add a comment. can join, “closed” so you have to Facebook ask to join and be approved by the admin, or “secret” in which you • Pages enable public figures, won’t know about it until you are businesses, and organizations to invited to join. create an authentic and definitive presence on Facebook.
Groups… …parents helping each other
Spreading news…quickly
Working with a parents’ group • Accept – it is happening • Accept – it will mostly be a positive thing • Accept – negative is not new, just another channel • Accept – moaners will always be moaners • Accept – see it as an opportunity • ENGAGE – KNOW THE ADMIN! • Engage - ask to work together • Engage - school rep in group to answer any questions • Engage - challenge incorrect information • Engage - ask for opportunity to clarify • Engage – take difficult conversations off-line • Engage - ask admin to be aware of the law and manage content • Engage - ask admin to be aware of rules re photographs • Take control - set up an official school page!
The role of the group admin: Manage content • • Add or remove page roles • Approve group membership • Remove and block people • Set group expectations and guidelines • Approve or deny posts • Delete comments and posts • Ensure the law is applied
“There is case law to the effect that an administrator can be held liable for defamatory content and that they have an obligation to remove content which is defamatory or discriminatory. The administrator of a private Facebook group would be well advised to keep a very close eye on the content published there.” “In law, moderators can be held liable for any statement that appears to be defamatory because forum members are “Naming and shaming is deemed to be 'authors' within particularly risky - it can infringe on the meaning of the Defamation someone’s right to privacy, can Act.” amount to harassment and can amount to defamation. It has become a favourite past time on social media and it is ill advised”
“a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation”
The only real defence? …and they have to prove it!
Identifying children There is no one law that provides a cover all ban on any identification of children. However, their identities are and can be protected with: Children in youth court proceedings – automatic ban • Children involved in other court proceedings – normal for a • ban to be imposed Children in Family Court proceedings • Children subject to any kind of care orders • Privacy Laws (Human Rights Act) • Editors’ Code of Conduct • Acceptable use policy • Parental consent forms •
Setting expectations… • Acceptable use policy • Agree with group admins • Letter to parents • “About” section on the page • Complaints process Managing negativity and criticism… • Know the difference between abuse and legitimate disagreement • Keep a sense of perspective and proportion • Be pragmatic • Correct and clarify
The protection of the law… Defamation Act – libelling someone. Protection from Harassment Act – threatening or grossly offensive Communications Act 2003 – making "menacing electronic communication" Contempt of Court – anything part of a criminal process, identification of victims, offenders etc Malicious Communications Act 1988 - making "grossly offensive" comments European Convention on Human Rights, and UK law – protect individual privacy Cyber bullying, revenge porn, trolling and virtual mobbing are new phrases in our media vocabulary, but they generally describe behaviour that is already criminal. Children Act – protection for children involved in any court proceedings Media – editors code of conduct NSPCC advice on photos https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research- resources/briefings/photography-sharing-images-guidance/ CPS advice https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/social-media-guidelines- prosecuting-cases-involving-communications-sent-social-media
• Set your page up so only you can post content • Set your page up so you review content before its posted • Hide comments with just one click • Remove people from a page • Ban people with one click • Easily report posts and people to Facebook • Make sure the admin of any groups knows their role • Establish expectations on usage of pages and groups • You have the law on your side • Trust the judgement of the majority of reasonable parents
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