DON’T drink and tweet.

This is the guidance from Southampton City Council as it looks to help members connect with constituents on social media.

Used as a tool to share their thoughts, pictures, campaigns, and information, councillors are known to use sites like Facebook and Twitter on a regular basis.

One part of the guidance warned: “Do not comment, post or tweet anything when you are angry, tired or have consumed alcohol.”

Another noted: “Think before you tweet or post anything – never publish anything you wouldn’t be happy being formally recorded.”

The guidance also warns members to not re-tweet or share any post they don’t know to be true, refrain from publishing information received in confidence, not to deal with “casework issues” over social media, and to also not bully or intimidate others.

The guidance document was approved by the authority’s Governance Committee on Monday night.