Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Social Media:The Double-Edged Sword

Social media was an exciting idea that allowed anyone with Internet access to post user-generated content for the world to see at a click of a button. Since then, it has become a global phenomenon that continues to evolve and change as people continue to meditate on what undiscovered social connections society yearns for. 



Not only has it become a generational norm in first-world cultures, but it has now since become somewhat of a requirement or start-up businesses, and a key to continual success for established corporations. Social media can be used to create unprecedented connections with the general public. but with a small misstep, it can it also cause more harm than good. Here are some simple rules that can help you avoid social suicide on your personal or professional social media channels:

Keep your professional account professional
It's easy to make close connections when interacting with an online community. On the opposite side of the spectrum, it is also easy to create a nemesis for yourself when negative exchanges feel personal and targeted. For these very reason, it is important to keep your emotional attachment to these account at an arm's length. Avoid making personal comments or delving into personal conversations. 

Remember who you are representing
Whether it's your company or yourself, it is important to keep in mind who you are speaking for. Before posting a comment or a public forum, it is good practice to always ask yourself: how will this comment reflect on my professional profiley or my company's image? Will my posts serve me positively or negatively? 

Be mindful of what you choose to post out in the open; you never know who is reading or watching.

Never post sensitive information on social networking sites
While this may seem like common sense, there are many who overlook this simple rule that leans to unfixable disaster. If there are any doubts on the level of confidentiality or discretion that should be taken with certain information, don't put it up.  

Be careful of who you make connections with
When widening your social network, it would be wise to be mindful of you are allowing to see your profile, your comments, and, quite possibly, your personal life. While it is not a procedural norm, it is quite possible for an HR representative or a potential employer may take a look at your social media pages as part of their screening process. 

As mentioned before, one should always be wary of what they are posting, but excessive "friending" may develop into a problem of its own without you realizing it.

Do not share your login information
Login information are now the keys to the kingdom. It has the potential to ruin everything an individual or company has worked so hard for overnight. Commit login information of your accounts to memory as much as you can, and create passwords that are deliberate and difficult to guess. "123456789"is not a password that can effectively protect your account from intruders. 

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