The Charity Commission have released new guidance to charities on the use of social media following a formal consultation which ran from January to March 2023.
The guidance recognises that social media can be an incredible tool for charities to engage with their audience and tell them their latest news, but there are risks involved and they should be planned for.
Policies should be set in place among each charity to follow the standard practice of many charities across the sector already implement.
There is a recognised knowledge gap and trustees are not always aware of the risks that may arise from using social media. This guidance aims to help trustees understand these risks, the legal duties and what to do if an issue arises.
Paul Latham, Director of Communications and Policy at the Charity Commission, said:
There are many benefits to using social media, which can be an effective tool for campaigning, communicating with the public and reaching new and existing supporters. However, trustees need to be alive to the risks it can generate, including to a charity’s reputation. We have published this guidance because we want trustees to think carefully about what they want to achieve when using social media and then apply our guidance to help ensure their charity is protected.
He added:
We know trustees are busy and don’t expect them to be social media experts. Our guidance is also clear that their oversight need only be proportionate. However, it is the duty of trustees to act responsibly, in their charity’s best interests, and in line with the law. This includes when posting online. Our guidance will help charities to navigate their use of social media with greater confidence and will support the Commission to regulate this high profile and fast paced area in a fair and balanced way.