T his report answers several common questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives. Recently, the number of Member offices adopting social media as an official communications tool has increased. With the increased use of social media accounts for official representational duties, the House has adopted policies and regulations regarding the creation, content, and use of third-party social media services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Vine, YouTube, Instagram, and Flickr. How does the House define social media? How are social media accounts regulated in the House? What makes a social media account an official resource? Can Members use official funds for social media? Is some content prohibited on official social media accounts? Do the mass communications regulations apply to social media?
Recently, the number of Member offices adopting social media as an official communications tool has increased. With the increased use of social media accounts for official representational duties, the House has adopted policies and regulations regarding the creation, content, and use of third-party social media services. This report answers several questions about the regulation of social media accounts in the House of Representatives.
How does the House define social media? How are social media accounts regulated in the House? What makes a social media account an official resource? Can Members use official funds for social media? Is some content prohibited on official social media accounts? Do the mass communications regulations apply to social media?