The Internet Age meets the World War II era in guidance from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel interpreting a law about permissible political involvement by federal employees.

The Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees, dates back to 1939.

The Office of Special Counsel, which released the guidance last month in the form of frequently asked questions, discussed how federal employees can comply with the law when using social media, primarily Facebook and Twitter.

For instance, the guidance says federal employees can write blogs expressing support for or opposition to political candidates and political parties on their own time, not while on duty or in their office.

Furthermore, they are not permitted to use their official titles in their blogs, nor can they ask readers to make a political contribution.

However, they are allowed to identify the political party they support on their Facebook profiles.

Federal employees who are “friends” with their subordinates on Facebook also can advocate for or against a political party or candidate, so long as their messages are not specifically directed at the subordinates, says the guidance at http://www.osc.gov/haFederalfaq.htm.