ETHICAL AND LEGAL FUNDAMENTALS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
The current state of social media is fluctuating, it’s rapidly changing and growing. According to Google search, as of July 2024, there were 5.17 billion social media users globally, which is 63.7% of the world's population. The average daily time spent using social media is 2h 20m. This means more then half of the world is using social media! Each platform on social media has their ethic and guidelines regulations. A strong ethical and legal best practice to have in social media is a social media policy, which is a document that outlines guidelines, expectations, and actions that are expected to be followed for online engagement on social media. It is important to follow these guidelines, if you would like your personal or profile business to grow.
Ethics is a set of guidelines and principals that influence our behaviors. And these guidelines tell us the difference of what is wrong and what is right. For example, bullying people online is not ethical and is not professional, or establishing fake accounts. Following these guidelines helps us become successful in our role in social media.
Now that I have knowledge of these core principals, I can start applying those to my social media strategies. I can see myself not spamming users with my content, posting food or posting so many pictures of the things I’m doing on a daily basis. I have learned that quality is better than quantity. Having the same image is one thing, but having the same content is another. I post many stories of places that I have been to and stories of my kids. I will also be more aware of not streaming any content that’s live on TV as of that is (FTC) Federal Trade Commission also known as, term of services for each platform you are using for your social media. I will not create a fake account or post fake news, as well reposting something without knowing where it came from, or if the information is true (Misinformation).
Some of the ethical trends happing right now in social media are, loosing control over personal accounts to employers due to influential presence. This means posting or creating post within your personal account about your formal employment without there permission, this can lead to serious legal consequences. Misinformation, posting fake news or reposting anything that is not true, sharing too much. Not being transparent with their audience.
Some of the cases related to social media ethics are, Kim Kardashian, when she introduced her shapewear line called Kimono, which people viewed as not respecting the Japanese culture (Adranly, 2019). Also, Kevin Hart, after it was discovered, the actor tweeted inappropriate comments on Twitter regarding the LGTBQ+ community in 2011, had to step down from his hosting duties for the 2019 Oscars (Campbell, 2020).
Project sweat peas is a nonprofit professional organization, with multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. This organization is very consisting with transparency and accurate information, they don’t seem to post reels or pictures in a Narcissim form, so I can say there not spamming others feeds. The organization seems to have an alternative account, but you can tell that it’s a real account because they have the account in their headline. It would be interesting working as their social media manager, this organization is very well respected and their work is inspiring.
Nike is one of the many brands that is following strong media ethical codes, by not sharing customers personal information with anyone. Nike does not share employee personal information on social media or with anyone else. Nike employees should not exploit company products or details that are not public.
They are many professionals that practice strong ethical behaviors, There is a few of them on Instagram platform, I actually follow one of them ( _pagesparks ). She is a Labor and Employment Lawyer, her platforms are about informing users, about legal actions, what to do and what not to do, from a legal standpoint. She is transparent with her content; she states in her post that the information presented is informational and not a legal advice.
Ethical and legal fundamentals are important, it helps bring trust to the audience. Following this ethical and legal codes can help us protect ourselves from any legal issues or loosing our brand/business. As a brand it makes you look good and win the respect of many users, we must also be mindful of other people and their feelings, cyber-bullying is not ok. Making fake accounts its also wrong. My takeaway on this is if we run our social media with good behavior and respect are, (FTC) Federal Trade Commission and (TOS) terms of service agreement we will have a better chance on managing or succeeding with our brand/business.
Just because you’re behind a computer doesn’t mean you can write however and whatever you like and expect the person online to understand what your trying to say, so being mindful of others by respecting their opinions, are some of the key concepts I can bring in my personal conduct online. Being transparent, is important for me because the more transparent and real you are, the better outcome you will have and that’s just in anything you do. Keeping my information up to date its also part of being transparent.
What not to do on social media; Manipulation of concepts, for example, posting something, saying if I get a number of likes, you will have the chance to win $1000. Misappropriation, like jumping in conversations that is not entirely relevant or necessary, or establishing fake accounts.
Finally, core concepts that I will follow as a practicing social media professional.
Transparency - is the key to building authenticity online.
Engaging more with audience - social media is about the conversations; you can’t have success with a community if you are not actively participating in the community.
Ethical principles – Personal behaviors and actions.
Quality over Quantity – quality is always better then quantity.
Having Uniformity- Having the same image is one thing, but having the same content is another.
Having control of your personal accounts.
Follow the Federal trade commission (FTC)
Agree to the term and service agreement (TOS)
Follow ethical and behavior guidelines.
Not taking part on any cyber bullying online behaviors.
Managing professionals and personal accounts within the guidelines
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