The Director of Public Prosecutions, Kier Starmer, has now published its final guidelines stating how offensive a comment must be to justify police and prosecution time. There are already concerns that the guidance will not go far enough to prevent the growing phenomenon of online ‘trolls’. Starmer has said that prosecutors must respect and recognise freedom … Continue reading
A student who tweeted that people wearing Help for Heroes T-shirts “deserved to be beheaded” in the wake of the fatal attack on Lee Rigby in Woolwich, has narrowly avoided a jail term. The 21-year old English and politics student from Harrow had complained to Police about hundreds of threatening messages she had received … Continue reading
Research conducted by OnDevice Research has found that young people in the UK are being rejected by employers for inappropriate comments and photos posted on social media sites. The Young People’s Consumer Confidence (YPCC) Index covers 6,000 16-34 year olds across six countries in both developed and growth markets. It has been designed to help businesses … Continue reading
The rise of social media is having ‘devastating consequences’ on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who are suffering reputational damage when communities turn against them. The BBC has reported that one such business has been damaged by comments made in an “untrue and misleading” social media campaign over hygiene standards. Takings are said to have dropped … Continue reading
As you may have guessed, I am a firm believer in the power social media has to enhance your career and your professional prospects. I was therefore flattered and pleased to have been referenced in an article by Christelle McCracken and Anthony Lyons as they discuss the importance of devloping a positive social media identity. “The best … Continue reading
Lawyers and other professionals often tell me they don’t have time for twitter or social media. They might have families or personal lives which keep them occupied and don’t believe me when I tell them how quick and easy it can be. So, I asked a tweeting friend, lawyer and mum of two to write … Continue reading
It has been reported that a serving police officer who sent offensive tweets following the death of Margaret Thatcher has resigned his position. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Jeremy Scott, had taken to Twitter to make ‘unacceptable’ comments. He is reported to have said that he hoped Lady Thatcher’s death was “painful and degrading”, was “87 years … Continue reading
It has been reported that 17 year old Paris Brown has now resigned from her position. The’youth police commissioner’ in Kent has come under intense scrutiny following the discovery of offensive tweets after only 3 days in the job. Initially it was thought that Paris Brown would remain in her post despite the now-deleted tweets … Continue reading
Dominic Grieve QC, the Attorney General, has recently been speaking out about the use of social media and advocating a zero tolerance approach. When I met with him we discussed this and how his own position might be seen to be at odds with some of his colleagues in public office. Dominic Grieve has enjoyed a steady … Continue reading
Frequently, employees who are accused of inappropriate behaviour on social media sites will blame someone else. “I didn’t write that” may sometimes seem like a convenient passing of the buck, but online identity theft – however temporary – is very real and can have serious consequences. You may not be familiar with such vulgar words … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 