NHS England warns staff and terror attack victims of risks of using social media

NHS England has warned staff and terror attack victims about the risks of using social media in new guidelines.

The guide warns against internet trolls, who may subject victims to "vile and upsetting abuse", as seen following the Manchester and London terror attacks. It also warns people to be wary of journalists looking for accounts of events.

The NHS says the process of retelling a story could make people "relive the worst parts" of horrific events, it warns. It adds that people might say more that they intend when "vulnerable, upset or angry".

The NHS England guide also has advice for younger people, who it cautions: "People will use your information for their own ends and when you're in the heat of the moment you may say more than you intend or later regret."

It tells teenagers about trolls: "They can say things like you're only doing something for money or to abuse the system and so on.

"This is incredibly hurtful - which is what the sender intends - and it will upset you, or make you angry and that's never the best time to think about what you tell."

But the guidelines also add that social media could play a positive role in helping victims and families after attacks.

About social media it said: "Social media is always monitored by journalists who are looking for a story and you may find yourself in the wrong place at a journalist's right time."

It advices staff to not disclose the identities of patients, in photos, and to also not reveal things such as the names of hospitals where victims have been taken unless this is already in the public domain.

Staff are advised to not respond to journalists on Twitter. "Don't respond to journalists' tweets - they are seductive!"