Employee Manual 2025 - Flipbook - Page 132
APPENDIX R:
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Purpose
This policy defines the appropriate usage of social media for City of Plymouth employees and
provides guidelines for the use of such media.
Applicability
This policy applies to anyone who uses City technology resources, including employees, temporary
employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers, elected personnel, and all others.
Definitions
a. internet: the internet is a worldwide “network of networks", including bulletin
boards, World Wide Web (WWW), data servers, applications, messaging services,
and other functions and features, which can be accessed via a computer or other
device with internet.
b. Digital Equipment: Includes but is not limited to computers, laptops, telephones,
cellular telephones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s), and combination devices such
as Blackberries or iPhones. Any technology provided by the City for communications,
computing, printing, etc, or personal devices that access City resources are covered by
this definition.
c. Data Files: Information contained in files such as e-mail messages, database
tables, telephone records, extracts from databases or output from applications.
d. Messaging: Any technology used to facilitate digital communication, including but
not limited to Instant Messaging (IM), e-mail (both City-provided and through
external services for personal use), peer-to-peer networking (P2P), mobile, fixed, and
software-based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) devices.
e. City-Owned Technology Resources: Technology resources paid for by City funds,
including, but not limited to: internet/intranet/extranet-related systems, computer
equipment, software, operating systems, storage media, network accounts providing
electronic mail, and systems that enable web browsing, and file transfer.
f. Social Networking: Any internet site that is focused on creating “networks” of
individuals such as FaceBook, LinkedIn, etc. Includes sites where posts on behalf of
the City can be seen by numerous followers, subscribers, etc. such as Twitter.
g. Mobile Apps: Any application or program developed by the City to be used on a
smart phone/device for the purpose of posting to or updating social media sites.
h. Hacking/Hacking Tools: Behavior and tools designed to circumvent security measures,
or to otherwise effect unauthorized changes to computer hardware or software.
i. Peer-To-Peer Networking: Protocol or service for networking devices without a
centrally managed server, allowing the exchange/sharing of files directly with other
computers on the network.
j. Communication Protocol: An agreed-upon method of communication used
within networks.
k. Malware: A general term for potentially hostile software; encompasses viruses,
Trojans, spyware, etc.
City of Plymouth Employee manual - Page 132 – May 2025
