Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Social media definition

What does Social media mean? In legal practice, social media describes internet-based services that allow users to create, publish, share and interact with content and with each other, often in real time and at scale (for example, social networks, microblogs, forums, blogs, messaging services with group/public features, and video-sharing platforms), as opposed to one-way broadcast media. The term is descriptive rather than a defined statutory term. Regulation is framed through related concepts, including in the UK the Online Safety Act 2023 (covering user-to-user and search services) and the video-sharing platform regime under the Communications Act 2003 (as amended), and in Ireland the Online Safety and Media...

Employment and social media: policies, misconduct, harassment, monitoring, data protection, restrictive covenants and client connections—practical guidance and case law

Published by a LexisNexis Employment expert

Practice notes

STOP PRESS:

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Commencement No 6 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/82, activate the remaining provisions of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA 2025). Measures on subject access requests, legitimate interests, purpose limitation, automated decision-making, international transfers and enforcement take effect from 5 February 2026, with penalty notices and complaints provisions commencing on 19 June 2026. For further details, see Practice Note: Data (Use and Access) Act 2025—employment implications. That Practice Note will be updated shortly to reflect these developments.

The growing reliance on Social media brings both opportunities and hazards for employers and staff. The capacity to connect, build networks and broadcast swiftly to broad yet targeted audiences can greatly aid an organisation when used constructively. Yet the same characteristics can create serious difficulties where an employee or former employee’s activity is not aligned with the organisation’s interests, particularly when contentious remarks are retweeted, shared, reposted or ‘go viral’ and reach a large audience...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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