Sunday, October 6, 2024

Building social media resilience in local government

SPONSORED CONTENT from GRC SOLUTIONS

GRC Solutions’ Social Media Resilience eLearning course provides a clear focus on the challenges faced by local government officials in Australia.

Given the increasing penetration of social media and its potential for misuse – councillors, their families, and staff are increasingly exposed to online abuse.

Key factors contributing to the need for resilience

  • Public scrutiny: Local government officials often find themselves in the public spotlight, making them vulnerable to online attacks.
  • Anonymity and lack of accountability: The anonymity afforded by social media platforms can embolden individuals to engage in harmful behaviour.
  • Emotional impact: Online bullying and harassment can have severe emotional and psychological consequences.
  • Reputational damage: Negative online content can damage the reputation of individuals and their organisations.
(Castlemaine, Victoria).

Specific challenges faced by Australian Local Government officials

  • Regional and rural communities: Officials in smaller communities may face heightened scrutiny due to the close-knit nature of their communities.
  • Political polarisation: The increasing polarisation of Australian politics can exacerbate online attacks.
  • Cultural factors: Australia’s multicultural society can introduce additional complexities into online interactions.

The importance of resilience training

The Social Media Resilience course is essential for equipping local government employees with the tools to:

  • Identify and address online abuse.
  • Develop strategies to protect themselves and their families.
  • Build resilience to negative online content.
  • Leverage social media effectively while minimising risks.

By understanding the specific challenges faced by Australian local government officials and providing targeted training, this course can help create a safer and more supportive online environment for these public servants.

For more information about our Social Media Resilience eLearning course please contact us.

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