Stop the scurrilous use of social media

摘要

To paraphrase Shakespeare: Social media, or anti-social media: that is the question. Over the last decade we have seen social media used to present fact as fiction, fiction as fact and as an opportunity to abuse with impunity. The level of scurrilous and abusive language directed towards council staff and the elected member grows year-on- year and we live in an era where local authorities have to take recourse to law to restrain individuals who use social media as a tool of abuse and harassment. All too often council staff and elected members are unable to carry out their duties without the fear of harassment. One recent case involved the systematic targeting of a local councillor on social media over a period of 18 months, during which time the abuse escalated to include her family. The issue in question was a planning matter and the member involved neither sat on the planning committee nor represented that area. The effect on her as an individual and on her family was traumatic to the extent that in her family's interest she resolved to stand down from the authority.