Faculty and Staff Safety Guidelines

When identifying as a KSU faculty or staff member on social media, you may be subject to online harassment and other threatening situations. To support University employees, the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing has compiled a list of best practices to help faculty and staff members on social media prevent and cope with potentially harmful situations.*

What is an internet “troll?”

• According to Merriam-Webster, trolls are typically characterized as online commentors who deliberately post “inflammatory, irrelevant or offensive comments” with the intent to disrupt messaging.

What should you do when you encounter a troll or someone who engages in harassment?

• If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911 or contact Kennesaw State University Police at 470-578-6666. KSU’s Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing will be available to offer advice on how to deal with harassment. You can contact the social media team at socialmedia@kennesaw.edu. You should also escalate concerns to your unit’s executive officer.
• Avoid responding to inflammatory comments. Trolls tend to move on when they don’t have anything to which they can reply.
• Document as much of the encounter as possible, including messages, emails, social media posts, and voicemails. Take and save screenshots in case you need to file a police report or take legal action.
• If you are contacted by members of the media during a troll attack, please contact the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing before responding to inquiries.

Other best practices

• When publishing something that makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable, discuss it with your supervisor prior to posting.
• If you have any questions or concerns about a situation unfolding on social media or social media best practices, contact the social media team within the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing.

*Guidelines compiled using best practices shared by universities nationwide.