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[ramsesmontanj]

Creating Responsibly: My Guide to Ethical Social Media Strategy

Social media ethics are changing as more people become aware of manipulation, misinformation, and hidden ads. Being transparent is really important, especially with AI content, sponsored partnerships, and algorithms. Users want to know why they’re seeing certain posts and if creators are getting paid. Authenticity is also key, with brands sharing real stories and genuine values. Concerns about data privacy are growing after scandals involving user tracking and data sharing. These trends affect trust, which is crucial for influence.

For example, some influencers don’t disclose paid promos on TikTok, and the FTC warns that hiding sponsorships can be misleading and even illegal, showing how common undisclosed ads are. Meta gets criticized for AI-generated political ads that lack clear labels, raising questions about misinformation and manipulation a sign of how AI rules are evolving, and platforms are struggling with responsible guidelines.

PRSA's ethics code focuses on honesty, transparency, fairness, advocacy, and loyalty, which fit well with responsible social media use. It promotes truthful communication and protects private info. Joining PRSA can help social media pros stay up-to-date with modern standards.

Rei is a good example of ethical social media disclosing partnerships, avoiding manipulative ads, and pushing for environmental responsibility. Glossier emphasizes community content and transparency. Both show that honest communication helps build trust.

Influencers like Hank Green promote transparency, fact-checking, and responsible messaging. Dr. Courtney Tracy focuses on audience safety and ethical practices. They’re great examples of responsible influence.

Being open about partnerships builds trust. Fact-checking and respecting personal boundaries, along with being authentic, are key. For personal conduct, honesty, respect, accountability, inclusivity, and privacy help create a trustworthy online presence.

Avoid spreading misinformation, performative activism, clickbait, exploiting trauma, and fake branding. Ethical social media is all about honesty and respect.

Core Concepts I Will Follow:

Transparency

Honesty

Accountability

Inclusivity

Respect

Freberg, K. (2022). Social media for strategic communication: Creative strategies and research-based applications (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Poynter Institute. (2023). Ethics in the age of social media. https://www.poynter.org

Meta Oversight Board. (2024). AI-generated political content and platform responsibility. https://www.oversightboard.com

[ramsesmontanj]

FOHA Can Boost Its Social Media Impact

When I think of Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), I picture two dogs sitting together, one nervous, the other hopeful both waiting to get noticed. This image highlights why social media is so important for small nonprofits. FOHA probably lacks a large marketing team or budget, but it has a powerful mission: rescuing animals and helping them find loving homes. Today, the visibility of that mission largely relies on social media metrics like likes, views, and shares.

FOHA’s content varies across platforms; for instance, a TikTok video can go viral quickly, while a YouTube video requires longer watch time to count as engagement. Currently, FOHA mainly uses Facebook and Instagram, with some activity on TikTok and YouTube.

Their typical engagement shows Facebook posts get 20–60 likes and Instagram photos get around 40–100 likes. To improve these metrics, FOHA could adopt platform-specific strategies; for example, focusing on Reels on Instagram, which favor short videos featuring playful dogs, grooming, or volunteers having fun—with trending music to increase reach. On TikTok, posting three or four times weekly can be very effective, especially with content that shows personality, like funny or touching dog moments.

Additionally, FOHA could expand its YouTube channel by creating short videos (1–2 minutes) that meet the 30-second view requirement. Inspired by stories like “how one nonprofit rescued over 1,000 dogs last year,” they focus on storytelling that captures attention quickly and fosters an emotional connection.

How one non-profit rescued over 1,000 dogs in the past year - YouTube

[ramsesmontanj]

How do I feel about social media....

In textbook, social media is often described as "computer-mediated technologies that help create and share information." That sounds a bit formal, doesn’t it? While technically accurate, it misses the messier, more human side of these platforms. To me, social media acts like a global emotional. I don't see it just as apps on my phone; I see it as a lively space where everyone has a voice, where you can say whatever, you want. In the past, sharing ideas with the world meant being a journalist or a celebrity. Now, social media gives everyone a voice. It’s like a digital city that never sleeps, showing our thoughts, feelings, successes, and conflicts. Whether for a worldwide movement or a viral meme, it’s where modern culture happens. It’s also where we seek connection, even when alone. I’d describe myself as a 'Selective Curator.' I don’t post constantly or share every fleeting thought. I know once something is online, it’s there forever, so I see my digital presence as a gallery of my interests rather than a raw stream of my life. I mainly use platforms for specific purposes news, professional networking, or visual inspiration and prefer to observe and learn, only joining in when I can add value. This keeps me private but connected. A strength of mine is a good "crap detector." Growing up in the digital age has sharpened my ability to spot fake posts, edited photos, or bot-driven narratives. I understand how to navigate various platforms. My biggest struggle is falling into the "algorithm trap," where a quick five-minute scroll turns into an hour because feeds are designed to keep your scrolling. Plus, algorithms tend to feed us content that confirms what we already believe, making it hard to find the real truth. What I want from this class is a behind-the-scenes look at how influence works and how data shapes content. Outside class, I aim to go beyond consumption and start creating. My goal is to learn how to use social media to build community and networks that can benefit my career long after the semester ends.