Antrim and Newtownabbey Council approves new social media protocol after ‘vile’ comments

Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have approved social media protocol following “vile” online comments.

The borough council’s Community Development Committee agreed a revised protocol including user terms at a recent meeting in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.

A report to the committee said:

“In general terms, social media is a very effective way for the council to communicate and engage with residents and visitors. However social media societally can also be subject to improper and negative use.

“The social media operating protocol sets out the council’s approach to monitoring and managing all of the social media channels and accounts and advises all of those who engage with the council through these platforms what the acceptable terms of use are and how inappropriate commentary will be addressed.

“Within the protocol, users are advised that the council will remove, ban orreport users who violate the social media terms of use. There is also a mechanism to appeal such a ban.”

The report noted the council operates a number of social media channels and has 141,000 followers.

Dunsilly Ulster Unionist Councillor Stewart Wilson proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the protocol seconded by Threemilewater DUP Cllr Mark Cooper BEM.

Cllr Cooper told members there had been an incident for the council when he issued a statement on October 7 2023, during his mayoral term, when Hamas attacked Israel.

He reported the comments function on the social media post online had to be turned off due to “vile comments”.

He indicated this also occurred in response to the council’s Holocaust programme when it was advertised. He went on to say the comments function had to be turned off in relation to this post.

Cllr Cooper went on to ask if these comments are being reported to the PSNI when they are being made and being recorded as “hate crimes”. He also remarked that comments made about personal appearance on social media “hurts”.

Ursula Fay, director of community development, said:

“Members know how challenging social media is.” She indicated comments can be made by “anonymous trolls” through accounts, she believed, to be “set up specifically to be abusive”.

She pointed out the local authority “adopts a pragmatic approach” and plans ahead and can turn off the comments function and review on a “case by case basis”.

“We would report anything like that to the PSNI,” the director stated.

However she acknowledged it is a “complicated issue which is very difficult to police”.

“We take our responsibility in this regard seriously,” she stated.

The council’s social media operating protocol will be reviewed on an annual basis