City of Sandy Springs’ Social Media Policy

Social media platforms are essential tools for the City of Sandy Springs (the City) to engage with the public, share information, and promote transparency. However, managing interactions on these platforms requires a balanced approach to encourage open dialogue while ensuring a respectful and safe environment. This Policy establishes guidelines for members of the public when posting comments, content, or engaging with the City's official social media platforms. 

The aim of this policy is to promote respectful, informative, and constructive conversations on the City’s social media channels, while encouraging participation from citizens, businesses, community partners, and visitors. Although the City encourages engagement, all social media pages are moderated by City staff. By participating in these spaces, you agree to adhere to these rules. The goal is to create a community that values transparency, respect, and safety for all participants. 

The City of Sandy Springs’ social media platforms are considered limited public forums, meaning they are intended for specific types of expression, which may be restricted based on subject matter or the class of speaker. These sites are not open public forums. The City has a primary interest in protecting the content it shares on these platforms to ensure it is beneficial and safe for the public. As such, the City reserves the right to remove content at any time, as well as to disallow or discontinue interactivity and postings on any City social media platform or individual posts. 

Definitions:  

1. City of Sandy Springs social media site means sites established and maintained by the City where in which the City has control over the content posted on the site, except for the advertisements, content, or hyperlinks placed by the platforms owners’ vendors or partners, and or their own policies. The City’s official websites are not considered social media sites.

2. Social media means content created on internet platforms by individuals, business agencies or other entities using accessible, expandable, upgradable technology on the internet. Examples of social media include but are not limited to Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogs, and RSS.  

Terms and Conditions: 

1. Members of the public accessing or posting to a City of Sandy Springs social media site are hereby notified that any articles, comments, and any other content posted or submitted for posting may be subject to the Open Records Act. C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. The City archives content in real time to comply with the act. Comments that are made and deleted by the City or the user will be archived, creating a record of communication.  

2. The City reserves the right to change, modify, or amend all or part of this Policy at any time, with or without notice, and to do so in its sole discretion. 

3. All postings or content made to the City of Sandy Springs’ social media sites are subject to moderation by the City.  

4. The City of Sandy Springs will not delete comments. However, the City reserves the right to remove by hiding the following prohibited content and any other content deemed by the City of Sandy Springs, in its sole discretion, to be in violation of this Policy or any applicable law: 
   • Is off-subject or out of context
   • Contains obscenity or material that appeals to the prurient interests
   • Contains personal identifying information or sensitive personal information
   • Contains offensive terms that target protected classes
   • Is threatening, harassing or discriminatory
   • Incites or promotes violence or illegal activities
   • Contains information that reasonably could compromise individual or public safety
   • Advertises or promotes a commercial product or service, or any entity or individual
   • Promotes or endorses political campaigns or candidates 
5. The City of Sandy Springs will not delete comments. However, the City reserves the right to remove by hiding the following prohibited content and any other content deemed by the City of Sandy Springs, in its sole discretion, to be in violation of this Policy or any applicable law: 
   • Repeated, unsolicited content that disrupts the conversation
   • Is harassing and contains a form of bullying and/or threats 
   • Promotes illegal activities should be reported immediately to comply with legal obligations

6. The City of Sandy Springs reserves the right to the extent, scope, time, and manner of its moderation Policy and activity. Typically, no City of Sandy Springs social media site will be monitored or moderated on legal holidays or outside the City’s normal hours of business operations.

7. The City of Sandy Springs’ social media sites cannot be used for reporting crime, hazards, or repairs, or to make formal complaints or claims against the City. As noted above, among other reasons, City social media pages are not monitored 24/7. If you have an emergency or need police or fire assistance, please call 911 immediately. Do not use any City of Sandy Springs social media sites or accounts to report a crime, fire, or other emergency.
   • All non-emergency contacts should be directed to the appropriate department by using the City’s 24/7 Call Center at 770-730-5600