This site is moderated by us (Social Pinpoint) and our agents. We moderate the site in order to create a productive and safe environment where people can engage with the project or each other without feeling intimidated.
The site uses either a (a) post-moderation tool where all content submitted by users on our site is immediately published and then reviewed by our moderators to ensure it complies with Social Pinpoint’s Moderation Policy or (b) pre-moderation tool where all content must be approved by our moderators before appearing on the site.
In the first case, the user’s content is immediately posted on the site and then reviewed by the moderators. If the client or Social Pinpoint finds that the content violates the Moderation Policies, the user’s content will be rejected and the user may be notified via email. We reserve the right to edit or remove any content in our sole discretion that has been posted on our site.
In some cases, you may notice that your submitted content that was once posted no longer appears on the site. The content is only temporarily removed until the client or Social Pinpoint has reviewed it to ensure it complies with the Moderation Policy. If your content has been rejected, you may be notified via email from the client or Social Pinpoint.
With the pre-moderation tool, moderators must review and approve the user’s content before it is posted onto the site. This may mean the user’s content does not immediately appear on the site.
You must also agree to the Terms of Use and to our Privacy Policy before using our site.
Think positively about your participation. This is an opportunity for you to input your ideas and contribute to the project.
Participation Rules
We have the right to edit or remove any content submitted by a user. This can include, but not be limited to:
- Personal attacks on other participants or staff
- Personal information about any of the participants or staff
- Offensive language including profanity
- Comments that are discriminatory of people’s gender, race, religion, culture, sexual preference, appearance or background
- Links to any advertising or illegal material
- Spamming of comments
Participation Guidelines
- Contribute constructive discussions and comments while respecting the views of other people
- Only post content that suitable for anyone (including young children) to view
- Ensure you have received permission to post any images or intellectual property of third parties
- Do not spam either by posting irrelevant websites or by re-posting your comment
- Avoid rude and dismissive comments
Gaston County Social Media Public Rules & Disclaimer
The County uses social media and this software platform to interact with residents, businesses and visitors about public issues related to our jurisdiction. Please note this is a moderated online discussion site and subject to North Carolina Public Records Laws, and e-discovery laws and policies. All comments and content shared on our government-sponsored social media sites must pertain to items within the jurisdictional control or authority of our governmental unit. The County reserves the right to delete submissions that do not meet the purpose of this site as outlined above.
The following are examples of unacceptable social networking content and comments. Please note this list is not intended to be all-inclusive:
- Any content or comments that do not relate to the jurisdiction or authority of the jurisdiction itself.
- Profane or obscene language or content as determined by the profanity filters offered through each social media platform (such posts result in the comment/content being blocked through the social media’s profanity filter).
- Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetrates discrimination as defined in the County Personnel Policy Manual in section 20.1.2. a. Discrimination - Prejudicial conduct by an individual against another person because of sex, age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, military leave, or political affiliation.
- Duplicate posts by the same author (the original post will be left intact assuming it follows the guidelines of acceptable comments or content).
- Solicitations of commerce and/or, including content that contains gratuitous links (links or references to other relevant governmental webpages or official government sites are acceptable).
- Promotions or content related to political organizations of any type.
- Advocation of illegal activity; or those that compromise safety or security of the public.
- Infringement on copyrights or trademarks. The County, at its option, may change, delete, suspend, or discontinue parts of or the policy in its entirety, at any time without prior notice. In the event of a policy change, employees will be notified. Any such action shall apply to existing, as well as to future employees.
- Confidential or non-public information, including but not limited to any personally identifiable medical information and any content that violates the legal rights of the owner of said content.
All members of the public are subject to a Three-Strike Rule. Commentors whose content has violated the guidelines in the Public Rules & Disclaimer three times and has been deleted three times on a social media page will be blocked from posting any content on the social media page for as long as the page exists. Deletion of content and implementation of the Three-Strike rule can only be implemented by the Communications Director or his or her designee, in consultation with and review from the County Attorney’s Office.
Please note that the opinions and comments expressed on social media sites do not reflect the opinions and positions of the County, its officers, or employees. If you have any questions concerning the operation of our social media platforms and the moderated discussion rules, please contact the appropriate County department directly or the Communications/Public Information Office.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at communications@gastongov.com