CONNECTING TO SOCIAL

MEDIA
Social media are computer-
mediated technologies that allow
the creating and sharing
of information, ideas, career
interests and other forms of
expression via virtual
communities and networks.
The variety of stand-alone and built-in social
media services currently available introduces
challenges of definition. However, there are some
common features:
•Social media are interactive Web 2.0 Internet-based
applications.
•User-generated content, such as text posts or
comments, digital photos or videos, and data
generated through all online interactions, are the
lifeblood of social media.
•Users create service-specific profiles for the
website or app that are designed and
maintained by the social media organization.

•Social media facilitate the development of

online social networks by connecting a user's
profile with those of other individuals and/or
groups.
Social media is the collective of online
communications channels dedicated to
community-based input, interaction,
content-sharing and collaboration.
Websites and applications dedicated to forums,
microblogging, social networking, social
bookmarking, social curation, and wikis are
among the different types of social media.
Here are some prominent examples of social
media:

•Facebook is a popular free social networking

website that allows registered users to create
profiles, upload photos and video, send
messages and keep in touch with friends, family
and colleagues. According to statistics from the
Nielsen Group, Internet users within the United
States spend more time on Facebook than any
other website.
•Twitter is a free microblogging service
that allows registered members to
broadcast short posts called tweets.
Twitter members can broadcast tweets
and follow other users' tweets by using
multiple platforms and devices.
•Google+ (pronounced Google plus)
is Google's social networking project,
designed to replicate the way people
interact offline more closely than is the case
in other social networking services. The
project’s slogan is “Real-life sharing
rethought for the web.”
•Wikipedia is a free, open content online
encyclopedia created through the collaborative
effort of a community of users known as
Wikipedians. Anyone registered on the site can
create an article for publication; registration is
not required to edit articles. Wikipedia was
founded in January of 2001.
•Reddit is a social news website and forum where
stories are socially curated and promoted by site
members. The site is composed of hundreds of sub-
communities, known as "subreddits." Each subreddit
has a specific topic such as technology, politics or
music. Reddit site members, also known as,
"redditors," submit content which is then voted
upon by other members. The goal is to send well-
regarded stories to the top of the site's main thread
page.
•Pinterest is a social curation website for sharing
and categorizing images found online. Pinterest
requires brief descriptions but the main focus of
the site is visual. Clicking on an image will take
you to the original source, so, for example, if
you click on a picture of a pair of shoes, you
might be taken to a site where you can
purchase them. An image of blueberry
pancakes might take you to the recipe; a picture
of a whimsical birdhouse might take you to the
instructions.
Social Media: What are the advantages and
disadvantages of social networking sites? What should
we include in a policy?

•When it comes to social networking in

the workplace, there is no one-size-fits-
all approach. The benefits of social
networking platforms vary based on
platform type, features and the
company itself.
 Social networking platforms may allow
organizations to improve communication
and productivity by disseminating
information among different groups of
employees in a more efficient manner.
While it is not meant to be all-inclusive, the
list below outlines some of the possible
advantages and disadvantages of social
media use by workplaces.
Possible advantages:
• Facilitates open communication, leading to enhanced information
discovery and delivery.
• Allows employees to discuss ideas, post news, ask questions and share
links.
• Provides an opportunity to widen business contacts.
• Targets a wide audience, making it a useful and effective recruitment
tool.
• Improves business reputation and client base with minimal use of
advertising.
• Expands market research, implements marketing campaigns, delivers
communications and directs interested people to specific web sites.
Possible disadvantages:
• Opens up the possibility for hackers to commit fraud and
launch spam and virus attacks.
• Increases the risk of people falling prey to online scams
that seem genuine, resulting in data or identity theft.
• Potentially results in negative comments from employees
about the company or potential legal consequences if
employees use these sites to view objectionable, illicit or
offensive material.
• Potentially results in lost productivity, especially if
employees are busy updating profiles, etc.
A social networking use policy generally:
• Defines what social networking is particular to your organization,
so employees know exactly what is meant by the term.
• Establishes a clear and defined purpose for the policy.
• Communicates benefits of social networking and of having a
policy.
• Provides a clear platform for educating employees.
• Takes into consideration any legal ramifications of not following
laws.
• Refers to confidentiality of employer trade secrets and private or
confidential information. Talks about productivity in terms of
social networking.
A social networking use policy generally:
•Provides guidance regarding social networking
outside of company time/property that could be
associated with the company, employees or
customers. Some employers may prohibit posting of
company information on social networking sites
without explicit consent.
•Provides examples of policy violations.
•Outlines disciplinary measures to be taken for policy
violations.
•What may be the most concerning aspect of
social networking platforms is that they
encourage people to share personal
information. Even the most cautious and well-
meaning individuals can give away information
they should not; the same applies to what is
posted on company-approved social networking
platforms.
•Employees may not be aware of
how their actions online may
compromise company security.
Educate employees as to how a
simple click on a received link or a
downloaded application can result
in a virus infecting their computer
and the network.
•Advise them not to click on suspicious
links and to pay careful attention when
providing personal information online.
Remember that just because
employees may have an online profile,
it doesn’t necessarily mean they have
a high level of security awareness.