Social Networking and Social Media Policy and Standards

A. All state agencies and all political subdivisions of this state, shall adopt a social networking and social media policy that shall apply to the use of social media by state employees and employees of any political subdivision of this state to discourage abusive or offensive online behavior.

For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

1. "Social networking" or "social media" means interaction with external websites or services based upon participant contributions to the content. Types of social media include social and professional networks, blogs, micro blogs, video or photo sharing and social bookmarking; and

2. "Comment" means a response to an article or social media content submitted by a commenter.

B. The social media and social networking policy developed by each agency and political subdivision of this state utilizing the guidelines established in this section shall apply to all state employees and employees of any political subdivision of this state who utilize social media or social networking networks for work purposes.

C. Social media and social networking policies developed by each agency and political subdivision of this state shall discourage the sharing of content or comments by state employees and employees of any political subdivision of this state containing the following, when it is directed at a citizen of the State of Oklahoma:

1. Obscene sexual content or links to obscene sexual content;

2. Abusive behavior and bullying language or tone;

3. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity; and

4. Disclosure of information which an agency and its employees are required to keep confidential by law, regulation or internal policy.

D. Social media and social networking policies developed by each state agency and political subdivision of this state in accordance with the requirements established in this section shall be distributed to each affected employee by email.

E. The state or a political subdivision shall not be liable if a loss or claim results from any action undertaken in their discretion pursuant to the provisions of this act.

Added by Laws 2019, c. 295, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.