As digitalization develops, social networks become an important tool of public administration. Of course, unconventional ways of communication require creativity, innovation and courage from the state. Social networks provide the online presence of the authority, expand the tools of interaction, act as an additional platform for managing communications between public authorities and citizens, which will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of management. Therefore, the authorities, of course, should maintain traditional channels of interaction with the population, use official Internet platforms and be included in social networks.
By social networks we mean an interactive form of social interaction based on Internet technologies and providing users with conditions for establishing contacts, forming communities for communication, exchanging information or achieving goals using various formats - text, images, audio and video. We emphasize that the ongoing changes affect not only technology, but also affect the organizational culture and professional competencies of civil servants.
The professional official activity of civil servants is understood as the performance of official duties in accordance with the goals, objectives, powers and functions of a state body. Professional activity is carried out on the basis of special knowledge and skills, requires certain training and education. Effective performance of duties requires general and applied professional qualities, i.e. the professionalism of a civil servant should also include digital competence, which will allow applying new technologies and making decisions with the direct participation of citizens.
Standards of ethical behavior do not depend on whether an employee accesses the Internet from a personal or official device. Attention is drawn to the risks associated with the fact that in social networks the boundaries between a professional and a person are blurred, an employee expresses a private opinion, but others perceive him as a representative of the authorities, a state agency. Social networks are considered as a public forum, therefore, when exchanging opinions, an employee is obliged to observe ethical standards of behavior, apply similar rules for public oral or written speech. Civil servants are prohibited from disclosing official information without permission and taking part in political or other public activities that discredit the civil service and the body that the employee represents.
When using social networks, a civil servant should adhere to the correct tone in conversations with other Internet users, do not publish confidential or other classified information on his page, do not add friends to users calling for a change in the existing constitutional order, separatism or renunciation of sovereignty.
In addition, it is not recommended for a civil servant to post photos from places of entertainment, foreign photos, against the background of expensive cars, restaurants, etc. on his social media accounts, it is also not recommended to show his expensive accessories, clothes.
Using social networks, we should be honest, professional, responsible and comply with generally accepted moral and ethical standards.