Commenters who break the rules could find themselves banned from the Town of Collingwood's social media pages if town council approves changes to the town's social media policy proposed by staff.
During Monday’s upcoming inaugural committee of the whole meeting, Collingwood councillors will be getting a look at an updated social media policy for councillors, staff and committee board members, which is being amended for the first time since 2016 when it was first introduced in the municipality.
“As the town’s presence on social media continues to mature, it is paramount that we ensure clear standards are set for content creation, management of accounts, and online interactions,” noted Christa Carter, manager of public relations and communications with the town, in her report to councillors.
“The updated policy sets out clear expectations for a respectful environment on all our digital channels," she said.
The policy includes updated commenting standards for the town’s social media channels including not allowing profane, obscene, racist, or otherwise discriminatory content; personal attacks, insults, or threatening language; plagiarized material; solicitation of commerce; violations of municipal bylaw, provincial or federal law, or encouragement of illegal activity; confidential information published without consent; promotion of political candidates or content considered inappropriate by the town.
Any commenters not complying with the town’s policy may be blocked or banned from commenting further on town social media pages.
“The town’s social media sites are not a platform for individuals to share their personal agendas or spread mis- or disinformation,” wrote Carter in her report.
Under the updated policy, staff managing the town’s social media are protected by the town’s health and safety policies, which include the town’s discrimination, violence and harassment policies, and the town’s social media spaces are considered an extension of the workplace.
“Consistent with the Town of Collingwood’s commitment to a respectful workplace, violent, abusive, or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated,” wrote Carter. “Employees managing social media are empowered to take appropriate steps in reporting, documenting and/or deleting comments made by users who violate this policy.”
Under the policy, there are also rules for councillors, committee/board members and employees regarding their personal social media pages if they are sharing town content.
Members may not make disparaging remarks or express opinions which could be viewed as disparaging of the town, and if friends of town employees/councillors/members make disparaging remarks in their comment sections, they are encouraged to remove those comments.
As of today, the Town of Collingwood has a Facebook account (6,100 followers), Twitter (5,477 followers), Instagram (733 followers), YouTube (3,090 followers) and LinkedIn (2,067 followers). The town also oversees social media pages for the Collingwood Museum, Collingwood Public Library and the Simcoe Street Theatre.
The regular meeting of Collingwood council will start on Monday, May 1 at 2 p.m., with the committee of the whole meeting to start after the meeting is completed, at 4 p.m.
Any members of the public may attend in person in council chambers at Collingwood town hall, or virtually by Zoom webinar. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel here.
