What is social media?

Social media is a trend towards using web tools which enable people to share and collaborate. Social media tools are just part of the development of the web as a whole. Watch this 3 minute introduction to social media:

Why use social media tools in the SG?

The SG recognises the opportunities offered by social media, and encourages staff to use social media as a means to help to achieve the Governments purpose, and in ways that are consistent with our obligations as civil servants. Specific benefits are: 1. Promotes the 'human face' of government 2. A different medium to disseminate information ( Webcasting e.g Youtube is a visual method, podcasting an aural method) 3. A quicker, more immediate method to disseminate information (e.g Microblogging i.e Twitter or Yammer 4. A more informal way of disseminating information (e.g Blogging) 5. Whats happening in government as a whole? Using social media tools has made an impact in many workplaces including other Government departments. The Prime Minister's Office, the Cabinet Office, the Communities and Local Government (CLG), the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Central Office of Information (COI) have all been leading the field using blogs, communities of practice, discussion forums and social networking sites to ensure engagement between the public, partners, officials, and Ministers. In the United States Web 2.0 is often called Gov 2.0 when referring to government using social media tools.

6. As far back as 2007, with the publication of the Power of Information Taskforce Report http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100413152047/http://poit.cabinetoffice.gov.u k/poit/ the UK Government has acknowledged that there has been a significant increase in the use of social media tools in government. Government must engage or risk being left behind. Online communities are a major new force in the communications landscape. Public servants should be active in online spaces concerned with their areas of work as a matter of course. Consultations should always be presented on Department websites in ways enabling real participation. 7. Using social media tools is an integral part of the policymaking process. Social media tools can provide an additional, alternative way to collaborate with partners, engage and participate with partners and have a two way conversation with the public. For example using social media tools in the consultation process. One example of this is the SG Housing Policy Discussion blog http://housingdiscussion.scotland.gov.uk/blogs. A short term blog set up as part of a consultation exercise. Also the Scottish Social Housing Charter consultation invited online responses from 1st August 2011 to 1st November 2011 via http://housingcharter.scotland.gov.uk/ 8. Promotes Open Government. Whether by having more data available to conduct your own analyses, or knowing more about the research and regulatory efforts of government, or being able to more directly participate and collaborate with government. 9. As 82% of Internet users belong to one or more social networking sites (ComScore 2011), it makes sense to utilise the same tools that so many others are using. By this means we target our prospective audiences. 10. Using social media tools to collaborate with external partners, colleagues and may have an environmentally friendly aspect to it, since you can cut down on travel and collaborate and participate online instead. 11. Social media tools are a great way to keep up-to-date and network with other professionals in your subject areas. Therefore they can assist with continuing professional development (CPD). So, the benefits of social media are: Communication Creates sense of community Prevents re-inventing the wheel Saves time Work more efficiently Promotes open, transparent Government