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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:

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

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

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

#SusiSummer22definesocialmedia #Susisummer22

Social Media Policy

The current state of social media ethics:

What trends are happening in the industry?

There are many trends happening in the social world. Social media use takes up an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes each day. With consistent content being posted whether it’s short or long video content many social media users find ways to increase their audiences. The most active and has the best ever rapid growth that we’ve seen so far it's TikTok. Ever since Covid-19 hit, more and more people have become more active on social media platforms than ever before. TikTok being one that has the most active users, since people were mainly home they had to find ways to keep themselves entertained and this is by posting short video content. According to the article, “Our compilation of the latest social media statistics of consumer adoption and usage of social networking platforms” its states that

“TikTok has over 1.4 billion monthly active users in 2022 and is expected to reach 1.8 billion by the end of 2023”. This illustrates that TikTok has the most active viewers when being compared to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube etc. This is in fact a fact because influencers post almost 2-3 times daily in order to keep up with their audiences.

What are two current cases related to social media ethics?

One current ethical case for TikTok is inadequate safeguards in the system for the younger generation. The app's algorithm is designed to keep users interested by showing them more of the content they like, which can create an addictive cycle. Accordingly, there are worries that TikTok might be adding to the ascent in psychological well-being issues, like depression and anxiety, among youngsters. Another current ethical case for TikTok would be lack of diversity. TikTok has come under fire for fostering racist sentiments among its users through the way its algorithm interprets and enforces its community guidelines. According to the article “TikTok’s Addictive and Unethical Algorithm” it identifies a young black woman who shared videos that she felt were community appropriate on TikTok but it was removed. When compared to a non African American violating community guidelines by bashing the African American community, in fact her video wasn’t removed. “Specifically, one TikTok user named Tiara Nelson expressed her negative experience with the algorithm, “I ran into complications when two of my videos were removed because they ‘violated the community guidelines.’ One of the videos addressed the way I personally felt about non-African Americans using the n-word. The sound I used was a man saying ‘what’s wrong with you’ continuously. The other video that was taken down was a video of me reading Twitter memes. These were comedic memes that the Black community could relate to because a great amount of [Black people] have experienced the circumstances listed. It’s always fun to make these videos because I’m able to relate to them, and others are able to relate to them as well. When I came across [a] girl’s video that degraded the African American community, I couldn’t comprehend why it continued to appear on the For You page because based on TikTok’s community guidelines, the video should’ve been taken down””. This is just unfair to the African American community and everyone should be treated with the same punishment. If a content being shared is a community violation race shouldn’t be included.

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

A social media platform I would be interested in joining as a part of their social media staff would be Instagram. Instagram being the best and only app I find myself using the most. I know for a fact that they don’t play about their code of ethics. Their community guidelines mainly include, they don’t allow attacks or abuse based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or disease. Their main priority is respect and sharing positivity within everyone.

Brands/professionals with strong social media ethical codes:

What brands are utilizing proper social media ethical practices?

Pinterest is a brand that’s utilizing proper social media ethical practices because it was rated the second highest net ethical score with 35.%. According to the BigVillage article on “How Ethical are social media companies.” If there has been no violation of the Pinterest terms of service. In point of fact, in the event that they are sued, you will also need to pay to defend Pinterest.

Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? Support your choice with evidence. What are some takeaways you can bring forth in your own practices?

Starbucks is a brand that I feel practices strong ethical behavior on social media platforms because they treat everyone with respect and equally. According to their website Starbucks.com they mentioned “We treat each other with dignity and respect at Starbucks. This indicates that each partner has the right to work in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and bullying.” This indicates that their main priority is helping those in need in the form of respect including their customers and employees. Also they make impacts daily by donating to help those in need. According to the article, Is Starbucks Sustainable? The article states that

“The Starbucks 2021 Global Environmental and Social Impact Report featured some glittering progress announcements, including:…Ethical sourcing; Donating $100M to disease-resistant trees to help reduce deforestation”. This shows that Starbucks is a brand that cares about the environment mainly because their main priority is to promote sustainable coffee for the community.

Some takeaways are that lending a hand is really important when it comes to having your own brand because it’ll allow more and more individuals to participate in your brand.

Key concepts and issues:

What main concepts do you think are necessary to adhere to for your own personal conduct online?

Be respectful - Treating everyone with respect is a major key for being on social media platforms. Respect comes first in the real world so it should work the same way online

Be careful with humor and sarcasm - Some people can’t take a joke but sometimes jokes can be offensive. Always make sure before posting a job think about how it make you feel if it’s bad don’t post if it’s really funny respectful joke than go ahead and post

Be forgiving - Knowing that life is too short to hold grudges, especially for those that you barely know. Letting things go will help a lot of people deal with online bullies.

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?

The main concepts on things to not do on social is bullying others, showing any form of harassment or treating someone wrongly due to their disease or mental disorders

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

Avoid profanity

• Keep everything professional while being respectful

• Post appropriate photos and videos

• Share positive thoughts about others posts

• Keep greatly opinionated posts off the page

• Don't feed into internet arguments or comments from haters

• Always be consistent

References

https://www.smartinsights.com/social-media-marketing/social-media-strategy/new-global-social-media-research/#:~:text=More%20than%20half%20of%20the,social%20media%20is%202h%2024m.

https://big-village.com/news/how-ethical-are-social-media-companies/

https://globalassets.starbucks.com/assets/eecd184d6d2141d58966319744393d1f.pdf

https://medium.com/si-410-ethics-and-information-technology/tiktoks-addictive-and-unethical-algorithm-3f44f41f1f3c

#susisummer22 #susisummer22definesocialmedia #Social media ethics

Social Media Policy

Brooke Marion

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

Having billions of active users worldwide, social media has become vital to our everyday lives. But as these platforms' popularity grows, so do worries regarding the ethical consequences of their usage. Several business developments are now underway that give insight into the current condition of social media ethics. Misinformation and fake news are on the rise. Social media platforms have become hotbeds for the dissemination of misleading information, which may have catastrophic implications. Misinformation on social media has caused public misunderstanding and even injury, ranging from political propaganda to medical fraud. Platforms are currently debating how to prevent this tendency, with measures such as fact-checking and content filtering being proposed. The rising effect of social media on mental health is a third trend. Social media use has been linked to emotions of worry, despair, and loneliness, according to research. Platforms are now being asked to address this issue, with some adopting features like screen time limitations and content warnings to encourage healthy usage.

What are two current cases related to social media ethics?

Social media ethics has been a major subject in recent years, with several incidents of ethical infractions occurring. Facebook and TikTok are two recent examples that have made news. Facebook, for example, has been accused of enabling misleading material to propagate on its site, notably during the 2016 US presidential election. This has raised worries about social media's impact on democracy, because incorrect information may change public opinion and influence voting behavior. With revelations of Cambridge Analytica exploiting data to influence the 2016 election, Facebook has also been chastised for its handling of user data. As a result, Facebook has come under fire, with calls for more control of its platform.

Concerns have been expressed concerning user privacy and security in the instance of TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by the Chinese business ByteDance. TikTok has been accused of gathering and exchanging data about its users, including their location and browsing history, with the Chinese government. Concerns have also been raised concerning how TikTok moderates material, with charges of censorship and bias against particular groups, leveled. Because of these difficulties, several nations, notably India and the United States, have called for TikTok to be outlawed.

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.

One social media group, in particular, jumps out to me. If I had to join a social media staff team, I would go with Twitch. I've been following the firm for quite some time and admire all they stand for. They are a highly professional company with a strong code of ethics that is strictly adhered to. "Twitch does not permit behavior motivated by hatred, prejudice, or intolerance, including behavior that promotes or encourages discrimination, denigration, harassment, or violence based on the following protected characteristics: race, ethnicity, color, caste, national origin, immigration status, religion, sex, etc."

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

Many companies are employing suitable social media ethical procedures. Aflac, for example, has a fair employment policy and has donated over $172 million to support children with cancer in the United States and Japan. During the coronavirus epidemic, the Boohoo Group was lauded for its social media approach, which included direct and honest communication with consumers and workers.

Consumers are more inclined to regard firms that stress openness and authenticity in their social media interactions as ethical. This involves being clear about their identity and associations, as well as avoiding dishonest or misrepresentative activities on social media.

Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? Support your choice with evidence. What are some takeaways you can bring forth in your own practices?

Social media platforms have become a vital component of our daily lives in the digital era. Social media is used by professionals from a variety of sectors to advertise their work, connect with colleagues, and communicate with their followers. However, not all professionals ethically use social media. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is a famous example of a professional who maintains good ethical behavior on social media.

Musk is known for his outspoken nature and provocative tweets, but he has also demonstrated a dedication to responsible social media activity. He attracted criticism in 2018 for tweeting that he had obtained funds to take Tesla private, which proved to be incorrect. Musk eventually reached an agreement with the SEC and agreed to stand down as chairman of Tesla's board of directors. Since then, he has made a concerted effort to be more circumspect in his tweets. In 2019, he posted that he will "delete his Twitter account" and then deactivated his account for a short time. Musk's willingness to accept responsibility for his acts and hold himself accountable for his social media posts demonstrates his high ethical standards.

The significance of transparency and honesty on social media is one conclusion from Musk's example. Although it is tempting to use social media to promote oneself or one's job, professionals should always be genuine and accurate in their posts. Another takeaway is the importance of being aware of the influence one's words have on others. Social media may be an effective tool for disseminating information and ideas, but it can also serve as a venue for abuse and hate speech. Professionals should make an effort to utilize social media constructively and respectfully.

In my personal practices, I can bring these insights to light by being deliberate about what I publish on social media. I will make an effort to be true and accurate in my writing, and I will consider the influence of my words on others. I will also attempt to utilize social media for good, such as advocating issues I care about or providing information that will benefit others. Overall, I can ensure that my social media actions are ethical, responsible, and useful to myself and others by following the lead of experts such as Elon Musk.

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

It has become more and more important in the digital era to be careful of our internet behavior. It is critical to evaluate the influence of our words and actions on others as we navigate various social media platforms and online forums. Honesty, respect, privacy, and responsible behavior are some of the most important values to remember when conducting oneself online. Honesty entails telling the truth in all online interactions and not spreading misleading information or rumors. Respect is essential for treating others with care and attention, even if we disagree with their viewpoints. Privacy is an important notion that demands us to safeguard our personal information online while also respecting the privacy of others. We must take responsibility for our online conduct, which includes abstaining from cyberbullying, trolling, and engaging in any other action that may cause harm to others. By following these principles, we may help to create a healthy and secure online environment, which is necessary for all users to prosper.

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 understand that social media can be a double-edged sword, and it can be used for both good and bad. Certain concepts can be harmful and divisive on social media, and it is important to avoid them to maintain a healthy and positive online presence. One of the main concepts that should be avoided on social media is hate speech and discrimination. Social media should be a platform for exchanging ideas and opinions, but it should not be used to spread hate and intolerance towards individuals or groups based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic. Another concept that needs to come to an end is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying may have serious consequences for a person's mental health and well-being, and it should not be permitted on social media. Even if you disagree with their thoughts or beliefs, it is crucial to treat others with respect and kindness. Finally, on social media, disinformation, and fake news should be avoided. On social media, misinformation may spread swiftly and have devastating repercussions. It is critical to fact-check material before posting it on social media to avoid spreading misleading information that may cause harm to others. Finally, while social media may be a wonderful tool for communication and connectedness, it is critical to be aware of the ideas to avoid, such as hate speech, cyberbullying, and disinformation.

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

Engagement on all social platforms. Social media is a two way conversation and its important to engage with the people around you.

Check, and double check. Don’t post anything you have to double think. If you think it’s offensive or could hurt someone's feelings don’t post it.

Genuineness with the audience. Social media platforms are known for being used to spread false information, so we should use our platforms to spread positivity and awareness.

Respect everyone online. Social media is filled with many topics we need to be aware of/look out for, so it’s important to respect others online

Plan. Set up a plan to market or pick up engagement on your platform whether it be strategic or tactical.

Twitch Safety Center. (n.d.). https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Community-Guidelines?language=en_US

#Susisummer22 #social media policy #communication

Ethical and Legal Fundamentals of Social Media

The current state of social media ethics:

what trends are happening in the industry? What are two current cases related to social media ethics?

Video content is getting more popular on social media platforms, especially short videos. Ever since the success of Vine, many companies and platforms came up with competitors like Instagram 15-sec video, Instagram Reels, TikTok, Youtube Shorts, etc. “93% of social media marketers who use video say it’s a vital component of their social media video strategy.” (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-statistics/) This has brought ethical problems like social media plagiarism (content theft), inappropriate content, and misinformation. One of the current cases is the use of Deepfake technology to mimic people without their permission, potentially spreading misinformation, manipulating the public, and damaging people’s reputations. As its technology advances, it has become a threat to everyone. (https://www.prindleinstitute.org/2020/12/ethical-considerations-of-deepfakes/) Another case would be the Elsagate. It was first acknowledged in 2016, Youtube created new guidelines on monetization to combat the situation. However, Elsagate is back again to target children through channels, intended to spread negativity and/or sexual content to children. (https://www.uscybersecurity.net/elsagate/ and https://wegotthiscovered.com/social-media/elsagate-is-back-as-new-youtube-trend-targets-children-through-bluey/)

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

I would be interested in joining Youtube as part of their social media staff. Youtube’s current community guideline states that “Hate speech, predatory behavior, graphic violence, malicious attacks, and content that promotes harmful or dangerous behavior isn't allowed on YouTube”. (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9288567?hl=en)

Brands/professionals with strong social media ethical codes:

what brands are utilizing proper social media ethical practices? Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? Support your choice with evidence.

Coca-Cola is a brand with strong social media ethical codes. The company believes relevancy, respect, and the rights of the individual are key to our digital media approach, guiding employees for both individual participation and participation on behalf of the company. In 2020, Coca-Cola boycotted social media ads globally for at least 30 days to join the #StopHateForProfit campaign that aim to stop Facebook from valuing profits over racism, antisemitism, and all forms of hate. "’There is no place for racism in the world and there is no place for racism on social media,’ the drinks maker's chairman and CEO James Quincey said.“ (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53204072 ) Lexington Medical Center, as a medical professional organization, has also helped protected social media ethics. They do not have a specific social media policy, but they have openly shown that they do not tolerate hateful behavior, even on social media, by firing an employee for posting racial slurs on Facebook. “‘The employee’s comments did not reflect our values and violated our organization’s policies. We do not tolerate that type of behavior,’ the hospital said in a statement. ‘At Lexington Medical Center, our goal is to provide our patients, families, and visitors with the finest health care available,” it continued. “This care begins with recognizing the dignity, diversity, and worth of every individual in our community and committing to treating each other with respect and compassion.’” (https://www.postandcourier.com/news/lexington-medical-center-employee-fired-after-posting-a-racial-slur-on-facebook/article_9f143ef4-a1ae-11ea-ac32-b3ed6a390af4.html)

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

The anonymity that social media gives may lead to a lack of accountability, but that doesn’t give people the excuse to bully or harass others. In my opinion, ethics on social media should be no different from the ethics in real life. From all of the examples above, I believe the key to being ethical is to have respect for others and be responsible for the way you act and the things you share. With that in mind, it’ll not be hard to use social media ethically.

Key concepts and issues:

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

The main concepts I think are necessary are respect, empathy, and being truthful and accountable. They are really broad concepts, but I think those are the foundations of social media ethics.

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 would like to avoid forming an opinion too early when it comes to seeing content on social media. Social media lacks the credibility of traditional mass media, and it’s important to observe and research before concluding.

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

Be respectful, if you wouldn’t say it in public, don’t say it here

Follow the policies and guidelines of the different social media platforms

Be responsible for all the things to post or repost, fact-checks are necessary

Be ready to face the hate and negativity on social media, and learn to handle it maturely

Avoid controversial topics before being educated on them

Avoid social media plagiarism, always ask for permission and give credit to the creator

References:

https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-statistics/

https://www.prindleinstitute.org/2020/12/ethical-considerations-of-deepfakes/

https://www.uscybersecurity.net/elsagate/

https://wegotthiscovered.com/social-media/elsagate-is-back-as-new-youtube-trend-targets-children-through-bluey/

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9288567?hl=en

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53204072

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/lexington-medical-center-employee-fired-after-posting-a-racial-slur-on-facebook/article_9f143ef4-a1ae-11ea-ac32-b3ed6a390af4.html

#susisummer22 #ethics

Social Media Policy

by Maria Rivera

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

Social media has thoroughly converted the form we communicate and interact with each other. However, with this power comes responsibility, and in recent years, ethical issues surrounding social media have become significant concerns. Transparency and accountability are now a big trend in the industry. Many people are demanding more from their platforms due to the prevalence of fake news and misinformation. It has shown new endeavors to increase transparency and prevent the spread of false news. Privacy and data protection are also becoming increasingly important. With the sharing of personal information online, people are more cognizant of the threats and are taking steps to protect their privacy. New regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and social media companies are now under increased scrutiny for data collection and sharing practices. Diversity and inclusivity are crucial in social media. Since so many people use these platforms, it's vital that everyone feels welcome and represented. Many initiatives have been established to encourage multiplicity and combat hate speech and other forms of discrimination. The state of social media ethics is constantly changing. By being aware of these trends and managing ethical concerns as they arise, we can ensure that social media remains a positive force for communication and connection in our society.

What are two current cases related to social media ethics?

Two current cases related to social media ethics are the controversy surrounding Facebook's handling of user data and the debate over whether or not social media platforms should be kept accountable for spreading misinformation. Both issues have sparked across-the-board discussion and concern about social media's role in our society and the obligations these platforms have to their users and the public. As social media resumes to develop and grow, stakeholders must work together to designate clear and ethical guidelines for its use and regulation.

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.

As a professional in the social media industry, a strict code of ethics governs the use of social media platforms. One organization that upholds these standards is the Social Media Society (SMS), which has a comprehensive code of ethics that all associates must heed. The SMS Code of Ethics includes honesty, transparency, and accountability. Members are expected to provide accurate and truthful information, identify conflicts of interest, and take responsibility for their actions on social media. Additionally, the code emphasizes the importance of respecting the privacy and rights of individuals, avoiding discriminatory language or behavior, and maintaining a professional and respectful tone in all interactions on social media. The SMS Code of Ethics guides social media professionals to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism when using social media platforms. As a social media staff member, I am responsible for upholding these standards and promoting a positive and ethical culture on social media.

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

Numerous brands and professionals are committed to ethical, social media practices and deserve recognition for their efforts. Patagonia is an exceptional model of an organization that upholds sustainability and fairness in its supply chain. Ben & Jerry's is another brand that stands out for its outspokenness on social justice issues and commitment to ensuring its supply chain is free from human rights abuses. Influencers and content creators have also set ethical guidelines for their social media content, such as disclosing sponsorships and avoiding harmful stereotypes. The trend of more and more brands and professionals taking responsibility for their social media presence and using their platforms to promote positive change is a positive development.

Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? Support your choice with evidence. What are some takeaways you can bring forth in your own practices?

Many professionals practice solid ethical behavior on social media. One example that comes to mind is Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chairperson. Despite facing criticism and threats, Dr. Fauci has consistently used his platform on social media to share accurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic and support public health measures. Another example is journalist Soledad O'Brien, who has been vocal about the importance of fact-checking and avoiding biased reporting on social media. She has used her platform to encourage diversity and inclusion in the media industry. Some takeaways from these professionals' practices include the importance of accuracy, transparency, and respectful communication on social media. It is also crucial to prioritize ethical considerations over personal or professional gain and use social media for positive change and advocacy.

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

When it comes to personal conduct online, there are a few key concepts and issues to keep in mind. First and foremost, being respectful and kind to others is essential. This means avoiding name-calling, bullying, and other negative behaviors that can harm others. Additionally, being mindful of the information you share online is essential. This includes avoiding sharing personal information like your address or phone number and being cautious about the types of photos and other content you share. Finally, it's essential to be aware of online scams and other forms of digital fraud. This means being cautious about giving out your financial information and avoiding suspicious emails or messages that could be phishing attempts. By following these key concepts and being mindful of these subjects, you can confirm that your online presence is positive, safe, and respectful.

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?

You must be exceedingly cautious about your posts and shares on social media. I firmly believe certain concepts should be avoided at all costs, including hate speech, harassment, and discrimination. It is incumbent upon us all to regale others with the utmost kindness and respect and to refrain from sharing anything that might be hurtful or offensive. Furthermore, spreading false information or fake news can have detrimental consequences, so it is crucial to always fact-check before sharing. Social media should be utilized as a platform for positivity and connection, not as a tool for spreading negative sentiments or hatred.

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

As a practicing social media professional, I strive to adhere to the following core concepts:

• Authenticity: I believe in maintaining authenticity in all my social media content. This includes using genuine language and avoiding misleading information. (Source: Forbes)

Consistency: Consistency is necessary when it reaches social media. I create and post content regularly to keep my audience engaged (Source: Hootsuite)

Engagement: Building engagement with my audience is essential. I always respond to comments, messages, and posts to show that I value their input. (Source: Sprout Social)

Relevance: I ensure my content is relevant to my target audience and meets their needs. This helps in building a loyal following. (Source: Hubspot)

Transparency: I believe in being transparent in my social media communications. I disclose any sponsored posts or affiliate links to maintain trust with my audience. (Source: Social Media Examiner)

Creativity: Creativity is a crucial aspect of social media. I strive to create unique, eye-catching content that stands out. (Source: Buffer)

#Susisummer22

Social Media Policy Ethics

Current State:

According to BI business review, they state there are still many ethical dilemmas with social media. They talk about Tempo Dilemmas and how they occur. “Exchanges in social media happen quickly, with an increased risk of making mistakes.” Another is Integrity Dilemmas which I think is especially important to address. They state that “Integrity Dilemmas are concerned with how easy or difficult it is to remain committed to personal values and moral standards when representing one’s organization online and being tempted or pressured to act against these.” Lastly, one I find especially important as well is Speech Dilemmas. They state that “Speech Dilemmas arise in connection with decisions about what it is acceptable to express when being active on a social media platform.” This is crucial because people sometimes think yes, they can post whatever they want, but it must be acceptable and truthful to get far.

What trends are happening in the industry?

There are a lot of trends happening in the social media industry that it truly is hard to keep up with them all. The most engaging trend on social media today is short-form videos. Short term videos are less than a minute long, capturing the attention of people across the world. According to Forbes advisor “as of April 2023, the fastest growing social media platform is BeReal.” BeReal was invented in 2020 and is a social media app that asks users to post “unfiltered” photos of themselves once a day. Insider Magazine stated that “According to trending news website social media Today, downloads of the app have risen by 315% since the beginning of the year, now ranking fourth in the list of most downloaded social media apps, behind Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest. According to the app's description on Apple's App Store, BeReal encourages people to "show your friends who you really are, for once," by removing filters and opportunities to stage, over-think, or edit photos.”

What are two current cases related to social media ethics?

It states in our book Social Media for Strategic Communication written by Karen Freberg that “the film director James Gunn was removed from Guardians of the Galaxy when people saw racist comments on his Twitter account, although he was reinstated years later (Fleming, 2019). This is an example of the trend of “being canceled.” Another past case I found interesting from our book was “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). But the most current cases I have come across are found on the internet. The first one I found was “Unequal Access To Healthcare Technology - advancements and Covid-19 have changed the way we access healthcare, extending the physical and geographic boundaries of clinical capacity. However, our disjointed, siloed healthcare infrastructure makes it difficult to connect those in crisis with appropriate care. To rectify this, we need interoperable care collaboration and analytics solutions to deliver whole-person care.” - Rob Cohen, Appriss Health – Forbes magazine. The second

What concepts do you think are necessary to adhere to for your own person conduct online?

There are many main concepts that I believe are necessary when promoting online. It is necessary to respect the privacy of others and not share personal information that you would not want out there. The other would have to always use respectful language. Lastly, you would have to be fact checking everything before sharing false information to the world.

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

Research Audience

Build a presence on the right networks

I will schedule my content in advance

Audit the performance

Develop consistent brand guidelines

Always ask audience for feedback

Always respond to others whether it’s a DM or a comment.

What brands are utilizing proper social media ethical practices?

According to the “The Creative Momentum” Airbnb and Netflix are two examples of good ethical social media marketing during the recent pandemic. They make it known that Airbnb helps house COVID-19 responders and Netflix connects people with mental health experts. It is super important that these social media platforms or networks help others during tough times. Anything to do with helping your mental health is a win in my book. Everyone needs guidance in life.

Are there any you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media?

I believe many like the ones I stated above such as Airbnb and Netflix, there are many more that are utilizing strong ethical behavior throughout their platform.

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

There are so many takeaways I can bring forth to my own practice when it comes to social media and networking. It is all about researching your audience and focusing on building my presence across all the different platforms through a positive manner.

References:

Panel®, Expert. “Council Post: 10 Current and Potential Ethical Crises in the Tech Industry.” Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/07/30/10-current-and-potential-ethical-crises-in-the-tech-industry/?sh=720fe6df6405. Accessed 1 June 2023.

‌ Cheong, Charissa. “I Tried BeReal, the Buzzy Photo-Sharing App Trying to Stop People Using Filters, and after 7 Days I Was Hooked.” Insider, www.insider.com/what-is-bereal-app-how-does-it-work-2022-4#almost-out-of-nowhere-everyone-i-know-started-talking-about-bereal-1.

‌

Kvalnes, Øyvind. “Ethical Dilemmas of Social Media – and How to Navigate Them.” BI Business Review, 29 July 2020, www.bi.edu/research/business-review/articles/2020/07/ethical-dilemmas-of-social-media--and-how-to-navigate-them/.

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#susiesummer22 #susisummer22 #socialmediaethics

Non-Profit Organization

Brooke Marion

I chose the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for the assignment. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a treatment and research center in Boston, Massachusetts, for both children and adults who are undergoing Chemotherapy procedures. They've always been active on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On all social media platforms, they have collectively gathered 570k followers and an average of 300 likes per post. However, when it comes to examining vanity metrics, there is still space for improvement. Vanity metrics are measurements that make a brand look good on the surface but may not always give useful insights into the company's true performance. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute vanity metrics include the number of followers, likes, shares, and comments on their social media accounts.

To enhance these measures, the institution should begin by emphasizing interaction rather than the number of followers or likes. They might produce more interactive material that encourages their audience to give feedback, like, and share their content to promote the organization and the cause for which they are fighting. This might involve asking questions, creating polls, and initiating conversations about cancer research, treatment, and prevention. Creating polls seems to be a great option because it allows the audience to interact with the profile as well as give feedback/answers to questions they want answered or discussed. They will boost interaction with their audience as a result, increasing the chance that their material will be shared, liked, and commented on.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute could use sentiment analysis to evaluate the opinion of their audience towards their brand for advanced metrics. This might give insights into their audience's feelings and thoughts about their brand, allowing them to better their content and communication techniques.

To monitor the behavior of their audience after clicking on their social media pages, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute could utilize measures such as time spent on their website, bounce rate, and session duration. Analytics will rise by posting content that promotes the organization as well as the research they do. These analytics might assist them in determining which social media platforms are bringing the most traffic to their website and which need to be improved. This can also help them choose which platform to put more time into hoping it will bring in a larger audience who they can help.

Dana-Farber's Twitter is their second most followed account but seems to have the smallest interaction of all platforms. The advanced metric rate of their Twitter account used to outshine the other social accounts since they used to constantly respond to their audience’s questions and interact with other organizations that worked with them. If they wanted to fix this, they could start responding to their following again and rebuild viewership by doing so. Facebook is Dana-Farber’s current most followed and supported platform with a following of 427k and an average of 300 likes per post. The behavioral metrics on their Facebook account seem to be much better than others due to the audience difference on Facebook. They have identified the audience they are presenting to and found out how to promote their content successfully.

Finally, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute should work on developing interesting content that encourages their audience to connect with their brand to boost their vanity metrics. They should also assess the efficacy of their content and communication strategy using advanced, channel, and behavioral analytics. They will be able to strengthen their social media presence and, as a result, bring more visitors to their website.

Sources:

For patients & families. Dana. (n.d.). https://www.dana-farber.org/for-patients-and-families/why-dana-farber/quality-and-patient-safety/measuring-quality-and-safety/publicly-reported-measures/

32K Followers, 794 Following, 1,720 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (@danafarber)

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

https://twitter.com/DanaFarber?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

#SusiSummer22 #social media communications #nonprofit #Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Helping those in need can save many lives

By Khady Niang

There are a lot of people all over the world who need help but don't know where to turn. Every day, people struggle to overcome their unhealthy habits and become healthier. Non-profit organization (The Salvation Army) has been around for a long time. It is a Christian nonprofit charitable organization that provides assistance and direction to those in need. This non-profit organization's primary objective is to provide food, shelter, and clothing to homeless families living in poverty. Additionally, they have drug rehabilitation facilities that assist drug addicts and provide the necessary treatment to save them and help them become better people.

My initial focus was on the YouTube channel of The Salvation Army (The Salvation Army USA). They have around 17.2K subscribers and around 432 videos. Due to mostly short videos, their YouTube channel had the fewest subscribers. Likewise these recordings show different recoverings, for example, from a fiasco, and showing clasps of occasions that are being facilitated in various regions all over the world. They didn't post anything major about the centers, like an inside look at their community centers, as I continued scrolling. Regardless of whether individuals' appearances are obscured out, it ought to constantly be some type of model so that when others see it, they can send their friends and family battling with misuse or chronic drug use to better their lives. Since almost all of their videos are short, no longer than five minutes, they should work on posting content that is longer. Additionally, they post on their YouTube channel about once every two to three months, which is really not a good look for them. At the very least once or twice every two to three weeks, new content should be created. The article "How Often Should You Post on YouTube:'' from Repeattube blogs 2023 The Ultimate Guide" examines the guidelines for when and when not to upload videos to your YouTube channel. Also goes into great detail about how frequently you should post on YouTube, with consistency as the most important rule. Consistency is essential to every successful organization, regardless of whether it is a personal channel or an organization. As well as posting at least a couple of times during the week, this way individuals that view the channel can have motivation to continuously return for additional recordings. Additionally, I believe that the Salvation Army channel will gain more subscribers if interesting content is posted. They should also use more information and increase the length of their videos because what if viewers want more information?

After that, I looked at their Instagram page, and I found that they had approximately 80.2 thousand followers on the Salvation Army US Instagram page. They also post about volunteer work, major announcements, and honerings almost every day on their Instagram page. They have approximately 1,474 posts in total, demonstrating their page's consistency. This delineates that web-based entertainment stages are where whatever is shared can be seen quicker than posting short clips that won't get viewers consideration. In case anyone wishes to donate to the local Salvation Army thrift stores, they also have pins on their page. A development metric they have on their page is they included photos of their rehabilitation centers and destitute sanctuary and how individuals can give and participate in charity events. In contrast to their YouTube channel, they only provided a brief clip and provided no additional information about any of these. One thing they can enhance is showing all the more short clips and pictures of humanitarian effort that is going on, this way when viewers go over their post and be more keen on chipping in. Their page will gain additional followers as a result of this.

I decided to focus on this nonprofit organization because it’s not only for a good cause but it’s very helpful to those people in need of shelter, food, and rehabilitation.This nonprofit is meaningful to me because there are so many people that struggle either with domestic abuse or drug addiction and these nonprofit organizations can help bring those affected individuals to be more responsible and independent plus rebuild their lives. While focusing on the social media platform for this nonprofit organization like Instagram and YouTube there’s a slight difference within these platforms.

#Helping those in need can save many lives #Social media metrics #SusiSummer22