Michaela Shunney's Blog

[michaelashunneyccriclass]

Trends in Social Media Ethics

The current state of social media ethics: what trends are happening in the industry? 

Current social media ethics trends include “PR packages” that companies send to influencers. These cause ethical issues between influencers and their audience, because influencers are usually looked to for honest reviews of products. When they are paid, or sent free items in return for a review, it can make the review biased and break the trust between influencer and follower. Because of this, influencers have started using the term “sponsored” or #ad for biased reviews, but still it crosses ethically lines of honestly as influencers are marketing biased reviews as honest.

Another current social media trend is “editing” or putting “filters” on photos, illustrating a fake or heavily edited picture. Editing can range from changing the brightness or color of a picture to using photoshop on body parts of a person featured in the photos. This can cross ethical lines because it is illustrating a false reality online, mostly to impress others or make others feel jealous.

What are two current cases related to social media ethics? 

One very famous missing persons case, Gabby Petito, raised many social media ethics concerns. Gabby Petito, was a white woman who went missing and within days was a name in every home, as her case became very famous. This case was an example of “missing white woman syndrome” where women of color who go missing are not treated the same as white women who go missing. There is so much of a disparity, that almost 95% of missing poc cases are not reported through the media. This is also an issue with social media, as many people become obsessed with missing persons cases and raise awareness for white women missing, overlooking the people of color who go missing at a disproportionate rate. 

Another famous case relating to social media ethics is Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter. When Elon Musk took over Twitter, he laid off many people, some of which were working on an “ethical AI” portion of twitter. This is unethical because it can lead to misinformation and bias throughout twitter as there are no AI ethics checks working to make the app more ethical. 

Outline the current code of ethics for social media by a professional organization you would be interested in joining as part of their social media staff.

Instagrams current social media ethics and community guidelines say as a company they have a responsibility to moderate content, and do not allow any attacks based on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, etc and do not allow content that glorifies self injury. 

Brands/professionals with strong social media ethical codes: what brands are utilizing proper social media ethical practices? 

One professional brand that has a strong sense of ethics is the brand Everlane. A clothing company that focuses on ethical clothing. Of course, since this company focuses on ethical clothing, it's unsurprising they also have ethical marketing and social media. Everlane is committed to extreme transparency with their audience; they provide pictures of their factories and even a cost breakdown of how much it costs every item to make. With this, customers can see how much profit the company is making which many companies do not disclose.

Another professional brand that uses ethical social media marketing is Conscious Coffees. This company is committed to creating ethical products, but also creates a community through outreach. The company uses social media to empower people from anywhere in the world to join their CAFE Livelihood program so they can start owning their own coffee business. Additionally, they run the community cycles program where they refurbish old and used bicycles all across the Boulder region. They advertise and provide these resources all through social media. 

Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? Support your choice with evidence. 

A professional model and influencer Remi Bader, who was named on this year's Forbes 30 under 30 is a great example of someone who follows social media ethics. One of Remi’s social media series is “realistic hauls” where she purchases from companies that claim to carry plus size clothing, and does realistic reviews on their sizing. Through this she has raised lots of awareness for the clothing industry’s lack of size inclusivity, and also shown what it's realistically like to try on clothing and not look perfect all the time. She is a great example of an honest social media personality who uses her platform for ethical good. 

What are some takeaways you can bring forth in your own practices?

In my own practices, I can work on not utilizing filters, or editing in my professional social media. Only posting real, realistic content to my own social media pages to connect with followers.

Key concepts and issues: what main concepts do you think are necessary to adhere to for your own personal conduct online?

Of course, I agree with Instagrams rules of ethical conduct: moderate content, and do not allow any attacks based on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, etc and do not allow content that glorifies self injury. And additionally, I should work on posting more realistic, unfiltered, and unedited content on instagram. 

What to do and what not to do: what main concepts do you feel strongly against and want to make sure you avoid on social media?

I want to make sure I avoid fake and biased reviews from influencers on social media, and additionally avoid influencers who don’t post realistic and real content on their pages. Only paying attention to influencers that are real insures ethical, authentic content from them where there is still a sense of honesty between influencer and followers. 

Bullet point 5-10 core concepts that you will follow as a practicing social media professional. 

Not discriminating against anyway on any platform

Never posting fake, edited, or filtered social media pictures

Not spreading any misinformation

Citing my sources constantly

Being transparent, not posting misleading content of myself on purpose

Sources:

Gabby Petito case raises media ethics issues about coverage of missing persons - The Daily Universe

The recent Gabby Petito case has brought to light the disparity in news coverage between missing and murdered people of color and missing an

Elon Musk Has Fired Twitter’s ‘Ethical AI’ Team

As part of a wave of layoffs, the new CEO disbanded a group working to make Twitter’s algorithms more transparent and fair.

​​https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/09/20/ethical-marketing

Remi Jo (@remibader) | Instagram

575K Followers, 1,892 Following, 1,057 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Remi Jo (@remibader)

[michaelashunneyccriclass]

Would You Adopt a Dog On Instagram?

Save One Soul is an nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island focused on rescuing dogs and providing them a loving family. Many dogs are abandoned, or homeless, but Save One Soul works to get these dogs adopted. Their website features a shopping feature, where you can look through the dogs to adopt, but they also do in person adoption fairs. 

I decided to first focus on Save One Soul’s Instagram page (@saveonesoularl) because it has the least traction at 4,791 followers. When first looking at the page, they have around 2,622 posts, around three photo/carousel posts, and 12 story posts a day, with the occasional reel post. They are doing very well at being active, but by alternating what format they post in, they can be reaching a wider audience. I would recommend, instead of the usual carousel posts they make focusing on dogs currently available for adoption, they should make reels. According to Later Blog’s 2023 article, “How Often Should You Post On Instagram Every Week?” it breaks down the difference between the four types of instagram posts, photo, video, carousel, and reels. On average, posting reels gains the most engagement from current followers, and new outreach to other accounts. If Save Our Soul really wants to maximize and reach out to as many people as possible for adoptions, reels would be the best way to truly showcase their dogs. Additionally, when they post their in person adoption posts, they are posted as a picture, which can be drowned out by the rest of the profile and does not reach a high engagement. I recommend they should change these posts to carousels, and feature on the other slides the dogs that will be at the adoption. Also, they should utilize the “pin” feature on instagram to keep the adoption post at the front of their profile until it is over. 

Next, when looking at their facebook page, I noticed they have a decent amount of followers at 16,000. Their posts are the exact same as instagram, down to the caption and exact pictures. But they gain a lot more likes and engagement on facebook. One recommendation I would make for their facebook account is utilizing the “event” feature. Instead of posting a picture of their flier, they should post an event tag of it, where followers can RSVP and get reminders for the event. This helps grow engagement because it sends a notification to the followers about the event, and even reminds them of it an hour before. Plus, with the RSVP feature Save Our Soul will have a good idea of how many people are attending, and how many dogs to bring. 

Both the facebook and instagram for Save Our Soul can improve their engagement ratings and outreach by just changing the format of their posts. This can help them in their overall goal to adopt out as many dogs as they can, and get more people to attend their events. The more people who engage with their profile, the more likely a dog will be adopted.

[michaelashunneyccriclass]

Blog #1: Social Media Michaela Shunney COMM-1400

I would define Social Media as any form of media communication, such as email, online posting, social networking, or even letters. Social Media does not just apply to electronic communication but any social communication between people that utilize media. Newspapers, letters, and written communication are the first forms of media consumed and can still qualify as social media. I am both a passive and active user of social media, meaning that I engage in social media as a user and an observer. 

I am both an active and passive user of social media networking apps, such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, where I both watch other people's posts and post my own. I am an active user of media in terms of emails or websites such as Blackboard, which I need for schoolwork. Then finally, I am a passive user of most written communication media such as newspapers/the news, blogs, and mail. Since written communication is not used much anymore, and can harm the environment, I try to avoid actively utilizing that form of media. As an active social media user, I utilize almost all of these forms of media in my daily life, just in different ways. I tend to actively engage with social media only when I need to or want to, such as for school or to communicate with friends. Still, I only passively consume media when I want to learn about something specific from the news or receive written communication that is pointless to respond to, such as written mail.

When it comes to social media, my strengths lie in modern technology. Because I actively engage in social networking every day, I am more equipped to handle and use social media in that regard over older social media such as letters or even printing presses. I can also pick up new websites relatively quickly, as I have a basic knowledge of technology. Some challenges I face with social media are new technologies that have yet to be explored. For example, utilizing AI in social media. I lack an understanding of certain technological features that are not as mainstream or helpful to actual person-to-person communication. 

In my work throughout this class, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of social media as a whole, as well as a deeper understanding of how social media impacts modern communication and society. I would also like to gain a better understanding of modern social media technologies such as social networking apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. Of course, I have a basic understanding as a user of social media but I would also like to understand the ethics behind that form of communication. Overall, I would like to dive deeper into modern communication and the impacts it has and will have on society ethically. As both a passive and active user of all forms of social media, I want to understand if my social media and networking use is ethical and how much the active use of social media is harming myself and my environment.