Media Skills

Social Media and Online Abuse

Social media has become a powerful tool for councillors, helping them to engage with communities, raise awareness of community issues, events, or council initiatives and to seek views and receive feedback. Social media however has its darker side; online abuse and bullying or ‘trolling’ has reached record levels and politicians, particularly women, are often the target of unacceptable, unpleasant and, sometimes, threatening online abuse. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has produced the guides below for members to help them navigate the challenges and stay safe online: