Tweets, comments, and shares have become the new currency of communication throughout the world. These abbreviated signals are the new lingua franca in an era of instant, two-way communication that connects the physical world digitally with social media. This connectivity is such a powerful bridge that over 74 percent of people in the United States now spend more time on social media than on any other online activity—and it’s growing. Over time, social media has evolved from connecting people- to-people to connecting people-to-business and now, it’s connecting people-to-government. This guide provides an overview of the key issues and actionable recommendations for mitigating risks through the use of social media policy and technology. This guide was created in collaboration with the Center for Digital Government, ArchiveSocial, and Julie Tappendorf—a leading attorney for social media issues in the public sector.