I LOVE the Hump Day Hmm. . . topics from Using My Words. This weeks topic deals with ethics in the social media world.
I feel that this topic is very important mostly because of the way the social media is abused. Look at the internet pedophiles and the con artists. Phishing scams come into my email daily, and I'm just glad I'm smart enough to hit delete. I'd rather lose something I ordered legitimately than give my money to Mr. Crazy T. Scamartist.
That said, I think that the social media venues are GREAT! I love email, instant messaging and blogging. I feel that it's a way to stay connected to people who live all the way across the country, or in some cases, great friends who live on the other side of the world. I also think that it's a way to see other people's views and become more educated by honestly looking at both sides of an issue and really deciding where I stand on that issue. These avenues to relationships with people are only great if we stay inside some sort of ethical code.
In my opinion, the first rule to the code is to respect peoples' privacy. If the person wouldn't give you permission to talk about something in real life, please don't post it on the internet. Also, if you want to post something, be careful how you use your friends' names. Some people don't want their last name plastered all over the internet because they are afraid of people stealing identities. I feel it's a valid concern. Therefore, my personal rule is that I don't post a last name unless I've seen that individual post his/her own last name.
The second rule is to fight fair. If you want to discuss things with people, that's great. Social media is a great place for people to share views, ideas, and good debates. However, please be respectful. If you disagree, that's fine. I don't know any two people who never disagree, but that's great. Disagreement is the beginning of stepping outside the box and learning. I love that part. One reason that I read other people's blogs is because they don't think exactly like I do. If they did, the reading would be boring. However, when you post a disagreement, no name calling, and remember that you are invading the blogger's space, and post your disagreement accordingly.
Since I met my husband online, this last value is important to me. Be careful how much personal info you share. Even with being extra careful, you can still find people to trust, but it is a protection to you. If you're going to order online or try to meet someone, make sure the place you're ordering is secure, or make sure you are careful about personal info over instant messaging or on your blog. That's all open to the public and bad hackers. PLEASE be careful.
This blog discusses attachment parenting and elimation communication. Elimination communication is also known as tickle treat, infant potty training, and more.
6 comments:
Great post! Thank you for coming out with clear guidelines to consider and follow.
I really agree with this list.
I am so careful about it (I hope, I try to be).
For example, on Sunday I ran to my friend's house for the Super Bowl Party and as soon as I entered I said, "Ummm hey the Persistence called the priest Your Poopiness story is the one the editor chose for the Houston Chronicle this week." She's Persistence's teacher and was in that post...but I carefully minimized her role and omitted names. So far---crossed fingers---I've never offended or troubled anyone.
I try to be respectful in life period, and I'm sure I don't hit my best all the time.
But still, it's a good standard to aim for.
Where I'm not that great is with realizing that people I don't know do know me! At the Mardi Gras party yesterday a lady ran up and said, "I know your blog!" and it always surprises me.
So I manage to keep that in mind when selecting what to say and how to say it, but can't carry the concept with me in day to day life.
I think that sometimes, in the internet land, we forget that we don't actually know what people look like or that we've never actually met. By "seeing" people two or three times per week, we think we know people. It's interesting where that line is for people, and that the line for different people is in a different place.
Excellent points, always proceed with caution. Hopefully most people have had their moms drill into them that they need to be respectful in all circumstances, online or not, but we all know there are trolls out there. Last year for Anti-cyberbullying day, I put up a post about a creepy online stalker, who thankfully just disappeared.
Such important points--yes.
I can't believe you married some guy you met online! :)
All excellent points. I originally had in mind to write about such rules, but decided to write what I did in my post about how poorly people are communicating becaues of the continuing progression of "tools".
Thanks everyone. I thought about adding in a few more rules that I have sort of seen, and I believe in, but I decided that my post was long enough. I want my readers to have time to read my posts when I write them.
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