Social Media Community Guidelines

The purpose of our Social Media Community Guidelines is to provide parameters for the responsible and ethical management of user generated content on MLHU’s social media platforms.

The social media platforms operated by the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) are a virtual extension of our agency.

We use social media to issue important announcements, promote programs and services, tell our story, and engage in conversation with the residents of Middlesex County and the City of London. We want you to feel comfortable, safe and welcome here. Our intention is to provide accurate, timely information that helps you make decisions about your health and that of your family and community. We hope you will share our content with your friends, family and colleagues.

You will not agree with MLHU on everything. That’s understandable and expected. You may use our platforms to ask us challenging questions, and to debate ideas and approaches. You can state your agreement or disagreement. But when you respond, do so in a way that is respectful of other users and MLHU staff, no matter how strong the disagreement may be. At the Middlesex-London Health Unit, we are guided by the core values of collaboration, integrity, empowerment, striving for excellence, health and equity. We ask that behavior on our social media platforms is also guided by these values.

We make all attempts to allow open discussions without interference; however we will moderate any posts and remove comments that don't adhere to our guidelines and will block repeat violators. Specifically, we will not tolerate these behaviours:

• Any post that is abusive, harassing, stalking, trolling, threatening or attacking others
• Posts that are defamatory, offensive, obscene, vulgar or depicting violence
• Posts hateful in language targeting race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or political beliefs
• Fraudulent, deceptive, irrelevant, or misleading posts
• Deliberate disruption of discussion
• Posts that are “spam,” including users who “copy and paste” irrelevant comments across multiple posts
• Any type of solicitation
• Fake or duplicate profiles

Protect your privacy and the privacy of others.
Do not post personal information such as addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, which are related to you or other individuals and/or organizations. Please note: The Middlesex-London Health Unit does not provide health consultations through third party applications such as X (formerly Twitter) , Facebook and YouTube. If assessment of the client’s situation or personal health information is required, the client will be encouraged to contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit in-person, by phone, or email.

Procedure

1. All comments on MLHU’s social media platforms will be regularly monitored by the MLHU Communications and Client Relations Team.
2. We will answer questions asked in good faith and redirect people to information or organizations that will support what they are looking for. We will also gently remind them of our community standards and the requirement to be forthcoming and factual in the presentation of information on our platforms.
3. The MLHU Communications and Client Relations Team will approach comment review professionally and impartially, adhering to the principles of free expression while ensuring a safe and respectful online environment.
4. Problematic and hateful comments will be quickly hidden or removed to prevent further harm, misinformation or discomfort to our online community.
5. When appropriate, users posting hateful comments may receive a private message explaining the reason for comment removal and reminding them of our community guidelines.
6. Users engaging in spam misinformation, hateful or other problematic behaviour may be given a warning and educational materials about our community guidelines.
7. Exceptions: To ensure a safe online community space, users engaging in hateful behaviour may be subject to an immediate block if deemed appropriate by MLHU’s Communications and Client Relations Team.
8. In cases of repeat offences, users may be blocked from MLHU’s social media platforms to maintain a positive online space.

While every effort will be made to explain our moderation decisions, we may delete our own content, or user generated content, without explanation or notice.

Under no circumstances is MLHU, or its representatives, liable for any damages arising from or related to use of MLHU’s social media activities. You agree to indemnify MLHU, and its representatives, and hold them harmless from any and all claims and expenses related to the use of MLHU’s social media activities. You acknowledge that you are personally liable for the content of your posts and the consequences thereof.