Social Media Class

The current state of social media ethics: Right now, it's very conservative online. Anything that goes against Christianity, the current administration, or any republican figure is a risk. There have already been many cases where people lost their jobs after speaking up about political violence on their social media apps.

What are two current cases related to social media ethics? In reference to my previous answer, there have been multiple cases of people who spoke up about their opinions on political violence and lost their jobs as a result. A childcare worker in Wisconsin was fired after a social media post she made after the Charlie Kirk incident. Although she condemned violence, she also pointed out that gun safety and regulation are important for the prevention of these events. That was still considered grounds for termination by her employers. There was also a coach in WA who was fired for sexist slurs about an influencer.

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. (10 pts) : The Dove brand is a professional organization that prioritizes representation, puts emphasis on promoting real women and body diversity in their media. This aligns with my current passions and values as a person, so I'd be interested to work with them.

What brands are utilizing proper social media ethical practices? (5 pts) The clothing brand Universal Standard is a great example of a company that uses ethical practices in their media. They represent and showcase bodies of all sizes, and they sell clothing that is sustainable and high quality.

Are there any professionals that you feel practice strong ethical behavior on social media? (5 pts) : There is a food blogger named Keith Lee who I feel has strong ethics. His videos are honest food reviews from local restaurants where he supports the economy and small businesses, while also being unapologetic about his opinions. It gives the viewer a sense of trust and connection to his content, which is why his critique is associated to such a high standard and his reviews are coveted by restaurants all over.

What are some takeaways you can bring forth in your own practices? (10 pts)

Honesty, transparency, accountability and relatability. Those things are key to making your audience feel seen, safe and cared for. It doesn't matter what kind of content you're making, as long as your audience feels like they can relate to you and trust your voice, you can grow your brand.

What main concepts do you think are necessary to adhere to for your own personal conduct online? (20 pts)

It's important to research before you speak, and also understand when to leave a topic alone. Way too often we have people interject themselves and their brand into hot button issues that are not relevant or associated with their brand or the community they serve. For example, in regards to the infamous jeans ad by Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle, it was tone deaf for them to create such a campaign with a white woman promoting good jeans in this current political climate of racism, xenophobia and immigration detention centers. I would apply that discernment to my own conduct, and make sure I'm not engaging or accidentally promoting something that could be taken out of context.

What main concepts do you feel strongly against and want to make sure you avoid on social media? (20 pts)

I'm sure you can tell from my previous answer, but I think it's important to know yourself, know your brand, and stay in your lane sometimes. It's possible to use trending audio and concepts to your advantage, and most of the time it's harmeless to apply your own spin on these trends, but not every trend is appropriate or relevant to participate in.

List 5-10 core concepts that you will follow as a practicing social media professional. Include citations that you used (20 pts)

Do not follow or comment on anything personal on a professional account. Everything is seen eventually.

Keep my feed and network diverse. Having different voices and perspectives is important to be inclusive to a larger demographic, and there's a lot to be learned by following people with different skills and backgrounds.

Use trends with caution. Not everything is appropriate for everyone.

Engage with everybody the same way. Do not prioritize or neglect anybody, all engagement is important.

It's important to know and understand your audience when using social media for a non-profit purpose. Reaching your target demographic and gaining donors is essential to a non-profit's success, and in order to understand what is working, you need data directly from that audience. This is why learning how to effectively use social media to benefit your cause should be a priority for any non-profit looking to maintain and grow into the future.

For example, there's a local organization in Providence, Rhode Island called Haus of Codec that serves the LGBT youth population with housing needs and resources. Currently, their following on Instagram and Facebook consists of fellow LGBT community members, drag performers, and other local queer friendly businesses. They currently have 1.7k followers on Facebook, but only 750 followers on Instagram and only 335 followers on X. This shows a priority for Facebook promotion, but this organization could reach more of their target demographic if they were consistent in posting on other platforms as well. They do have a Tiktok account, but it only has one follower, and no videos posted.

My recommendation would be that they should prioritize their Tiktok account. Tiktok is wildly popular with the younger generation and is the app with the highest average watch time on any video app in the US. According to an article about tiktok demographics, 1 in 4 Tiktok users are under 25 years of age. This one move could easily place their content in the hands of their exact target, and I feel that they are truly missing opportunities for expansion, connection and access to sponsers outside of the local area.

I define social media as any website, app, or organization that lets people connect and share ideas through various media forms. This is including but not limited to videos, photos, gifs and spoken/written words. It's also important to note that social media is a form of communication, which means it requires participation. Sharing your own content is one thing, but what makes it social media is the influence of others. Following and engaging with other people is fundamental to the experience.

My social media accounts often involve creativity, sharing events I curate for the local community, and engaging with folks that fit my niche. As of now, I'm building my brand because I'm a burlesque performer and even coordinator and I'd like to network with folks who align with those things. I love social media because it allows me the opportunity to support my community in new ways, keep up to date on events I may have otherwise missed, and it's a great way to express myself to a new audience.