With roughly 3 out of 4 Americans utilizing social media to learn, engage and be entertained, courts must meet citizens where they are by actively promoting court services, news and events on social media platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Benefits of Social Media
Social media is here to stay. And while these platforms may present unique communications challenges, courts can successfully use social media to educate the public with proper planning and monitoring. Social media plays an important role in court communications and offers many benefits, including the ability to help:
- Increase Public Trust and Confidence. According to NCSC’s State of the State Courts survey, public trust in the courts is waning. This is very dangerous to our democracy and must be met with increased transparency and accessibility. Social media provides a 24-7 outlet for courts to communicate with the public on a wide range of topics, including court proceedings, courtroom protocols and special hours and closures.
- Position the Court as a News Source and Verified Voice. “If you are not telling your story, someone else is.” Social media enables courts to control the narrative by telling their own stories. Instead of relying solely on news organizations, courts can report real-time updates, share unbiased facts, and shape important conversations. Human-interest stories, such as an adoption day or drug court graduation, can be shared even when traditional news outlets don't cover them. Social media may also attract reporters searching for story ideas.
- Amplify Crisis Communications Efforts and Assist in Combating Disinformation. As the nation witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, courts can use social media to quickly relay information about crises and rapidly changing situations, like weather events, civil disorder, or biological emergencies. Similarly, having a social media presence allows a court to monitor events, themes and conversations that may result in damaging misinformation or disinformation. It also provides a way for the court to combat false information where most misinformation and disinformation originates. For more information on courts and disinformation, visit NCSC’s disinformation resources and request a copy of “Combating Disinformation: A Playbook Template for State Courts.”
Social Media Tips for Court Communicators
Courts communicators can leverage social media platforms to communicate, engage with the public, and reinforce their standing. Here are some valuable tips to help court communicators optimize their communication efforts.
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Terms of Use Policies
Courts should establish a Terms of Use policy on their social media pages to foster a constructive and respectful environment. A Terms of Use policy serves multiple functions, including providing clear guidelines for user behavior, protecting the court from potential legal issues related to inappropriate content, ensuring transparency and consistency in enforcing rules, safeguarding the integrity of the judicial system, and promoting a safe and positive online community for users.
Examples of Terms of Use policies
- Delaware Courts Social Media Policy
- Nebraska Courts Social Media Handbook
- Michigan Trial Court Standards and Guidelines for Websites and Social Media
- United States District Court Northern District of Illinois Social Media and Social Networking Policy
- Washington Courts Law Library Social Media Guidelines
Resources
- “Disarming Disinformation - Guidelines for Courts to Combat Threats” Trends in State Courts Publication, 2023
- “Courting Public Trust and Confidence: Effective Communication in the Digital Age” Policy Paper from CCJ/COSCA, 2023
- Media Guide from the National Association for Court Management and the Conference of Court Public Information Officers, 2020
- "Juror Responsibilities Regarding the Internet and Social Media" downloadable poster
Contact Us
Need guidance or have a question about social media? Contact us at socialmedia@ncsc.org.