Social Media Basics - Etiquette and libel on social networks

Social networks are like a notice board, the content you put there can be seen by a lot of people so it is important to take that in to consideration when writing your thoughts on certain subject matter.

On an online social network any comment you post is clearly linked to you and your profile. If you are using social networks, you need to take care what you put up there and be mindful of other people's feelings. In law, the terms that relate to are 'libel' and 'defamation'.

Status updates on your social network are covered by these laws, so be very careful what you write. Libel is defined as 'defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures'.

Defamation law was created to protect individuals or organisations from unwarranted, mistaken or untruthful attacks on their reputation.