Social Media Terms of Use
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (“SCDNR” or “the Agency”) administers a social media program with the goals of educating the public, improving awareness, and fostering community engagement in furtherance of SCDNR’s mission to serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. Content related to SCDNR’s mission includes the dissemination of timely community news, information and event notifications, public safety tips and the delivery of urgent notifications that may impact residents such as natural disaster notifications or closure of hunting seasons/areas. By posting any content or interacting on any social media account maintained by SCDNR, users accept these Terms of Use.
LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM
All social media accounts used by SCDNR are designated as Limited Public Forums. For purposes of these Terms of Use, social media accounts include a website or application offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo, or written communication between members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, organizations, or departments. Examples of social media accounts include Facebook, X, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Instagram, website blogs with commenting capabilities, and forums and emergency notification services.
The definition of content as used in these Terms of Use includes any written copy, photos, graphics, videos, live-video streams, comments, or any form of communicative content exchanged between users or posted by a user to a social media page.
MODERATION OF CONTENT
SCDNR welcomes comments and encourages respectful discussion on our social media accounts. By engaging in posting or commenting on any social media platform utilized by SCDNR or its affiliates, each user voluntarily assumes personal responsibility for their comments, username, and any information they share.
SCDNR may disable comments when necessary to maintain the intended purpose of the page, ensure operational efficiency, or prevent misuse of the forum. When comments are disabled, they will be disabled for all users.
SCDNR monitors its social media accounts and will remove inappropriate content as defined below without prior notice and as soon as possible. The Agency reserves the right to remove and/or block any user that posts inappropriate content as determined by SCDNR on or to a SCDNR social media account. If any portion of a comment or post violates these Terms of Use, SCDNR may remove the entire comment or post. SCDNR will not redact, modify, or selectively retain portions of content that contain violations.
Inappropriate content includes, but is not limited to:
- Profane, obscene, pornographic, or vulgar content;
- Threats, personal attacks, harassment, hate speech, or stalking;
- Defamatory statements;
- Discrimination or the promotion of discrimination targeting protected classes;
- Misinformation, false claims, or any information that may compromise public safety, public systems, or the intended use of the page;
- Comments or content not related to the original topic, repetitive content, or spam;
- Violations of copyright, trademark, or other legal ownership rights;
- Violations of privacy or disclosure of personal or confidential information;
- Encouragement of violence or advocacy of illegal activity;
- Commercial promotions, solicitations, or political campaigning of any kind;
- Content or conduct that violates local, state, or federal law.
Users are also required to comply with the terms of service and community standards of the respective social media platform. SCDNR is not responsible for enforcing the respective platform’s terms of service; however, SCDNR may remove content or restrict participation if a user’s conduct violates platform rules or interferes with the intended use of the page.
All content posted on SCDNR social media accounts is subject to public record laws and may be disclosed upon request.
Users with questions or seeking additional information may email Communications@dnr.sc.gov.
SCDNR reserves the right to turn off comments on posts, but if comments are disabled, they must remain off for all users.
SCDNR discourages the posting of requests for police assistance, whether they are of an emergent or non-emergent nature. SCDNR cannot guarantee a response from the department or any emergency service provider. For emergencies or to report a natural resource violation, please call our 24/7 dispatch at 1-800-922-5431.
We value your participation and thank you for helping foster a respectful and informed online community.