Here we are in 2010 and, as the #StuartMacLennan stuff has shown, some people still don’t get the basics of social media or being online, so for those in Scotland and the rest of the UK, here’s a very quick guide to using social media for digital engagement…

1. It’s the World Wide Web. That means if people know where to look, everyone can see it. Unless you’ve marked it private and if you’ve done that, people will think you’re hiding something.
2. If you’re thinking of running for any public office or public facing job, check any online activity you have done in the past – blogs, Bebo, Facebook, Twitter. Delete anything you think you would be punched in the face for, slapped by your mum or sacked. It would be even better if you don’t need to delete anything though.
3. Also check to see what other members of your family have done online.
4. After that, do a Google and Bing searches and see what people have said about you. And don’t just check the front page – look at pictures, blogs, newsgroups, everything. Also search Facebook and Twitter.
5. If you think the comments you have put online are fair enough, then fine, just be ready to defend them – but also tell your party about them upfront so the PR team have a chance to firefight. No one is saying you can’t have an opinion, but for the love of God have an informed and educated opinion please. You’re running for a high-profile job here. Is it too much to expect you to be grown up?
6. Don’t go onto blogs and elsewhere asking people to take down nasty comments. If the points are reasoned, feel free to engage, if the points are vile and petty (and without substance) you can ignore these – most people call them trolls.
7. If in doubt, don’t. See above about mothers and bosses.
8. Social media can be good fun and enlightening as well as a way to win votes. Each party has some good digital champions out there, seek them out and ask for their pointers.