Set boundaries
Ensure you set clear boundaries as to when social media followers and users can expect a response from you. You may want to put this in your bio.
Take breaks
You cannot and should not monitor social media for extended periods of time or outside of your specified social media monitoring hours, unless, of course, an emergency arises. Ensure that you take regular breaks and if you have experienced online abuse then you are entitled to come away from your social media accounts for the sake of your own health.
Be cautious when it comes to revealing your location
Think about whether you need to post your location. However tempting it may be to post photos of you and your team out and about canvassing, in some situations, it is best to do so after the event. Be aware that, for example,Don’t posting a picture of where you will be canvassing saying, e.g. “we’ll be out until 3 in THIS AREA” can. This has been known to attract threats and even in-person incidents, so think carefully before you publicise your location. This can also be done for other events you might be speaking at.
Posting in this way has the twin-advantage of avoiding issues of seeming like you haven’t been active, which can draw criticism and abuse, but keeping you and everyone in your group safe.
Know how and when to report to each platform and police
Familiarise yourself with what kinds of abuse you can report and the reporting features of each platform. Be mindful that most platforms have no function to link multiple replies into one report. They often only let you add posts on the user’s feed - not replies to you. So if there are repeated responses from one account there may need to be separate reports which can be upsetting. If this happens, it can be helpful to get assistance from a trusted friend or colleague to gather the relevant material for reporting.
If you think it may become a police matter then screenshots are always best as deletions / bans are common. You should also screenshot the user’s bio to get proof of settings, ie that what they posted is or was in the public domain. If you suspect someone has set up new accounts after a ban then do your best to document e.g. similar language / emoji use.
As before, you should enlist help with documenting, if need be, so as to protect yourself from the messages.
Proof read before pressing publish
Always ensure you proofread - or ask a colleague to cast their eyes over what you have written - before publishing. This should help avoid errors such as the unfortunate hashtag used to launch singer Susan Boyle’s new album - #susanalbumparty - intended to be read as Susan Album Party.
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