Human Rights of Armed Forces Personnel Scope of guidance Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom Albania, Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom Austria, Cyprus, Latvia, Norway, Switzerland Other variations exist. For example, the United Kingdom’s approach to social media use divides topics into those that are permitted, those that are always forbidden and those where service personnel must obtain permission before communicating/posting.215 The Norwegian armed forces have, likewise, issued tips and recommendations to soldiers regarding the use of social media.216 The United States Army has a Social Media Handbook, with sections covering social media use, social media standards for army leaders, a checklist on operational security, guidance on establishing and maintaining a social media presence, use of social media in crisis communications, a checklist for setting up a social media presence, army branding and social media case studies.217 A number of states and their armed forces also see the opportunities and benefits that social media can offer. A 2016 study by researchers at the Swedish Defence University on social media use by Armed Forces deployed abroad found that most states perceive the use of social media as an opportunity, while the most commonly perceived risk was to the safety of service personnel on deployment.218 The use of social media, such as blogs and websites, can help families share information with service personnel deployed abroad and allow for easier access to support groups. Research from the United Kingdom has advocated incorporating clear principles on social media use into basic training.219 102 215 United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, “Using Social Media – A Guide for Military Personnel”, 2012, https:// www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34247/social_media_info_card.pdf. 216 Norwegian Armed Forces, “Tips til sosiale medier [Social media tips]”, Norwegian armed forces website, https://forsvaret.no/hv/tjeneste/sosialemedier. 217 United States Office of Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army Social Media Handbook, 2011, http://www.dtic.mil/ dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a549468.pdf. 218 Hellman et al., op. cit., note 175, pp. 51-62. 219 Economic and Social Research Council, op. cit., note 175.