noahparenteau

[noahparenteau]

Ethics in the Age of Social Media

While most of us spend hours on social media lurking, posting, and reading, we rarely consider the morality of what we see or publish. I therefore wanted to examine the current status of social media ethics and what it means for those like myself who aspire to work in the media in the future.

The Current State of Social Media Ethics

Social networking is becoming more genuine and chaotic at the same time. The current desire for authenticity and openness is one significant trend. People are tired with well manicured feeds and artificial perfection. Companies are coming under fire for questionable influencer agreements and false material. Discussions around AI-generated content and whether or not authors must disclose when using AI are also becoming more prevalent.

The trend of data privacy is also very popular. Companies are being held more responsible for how they handle personal information, and users demand greater control over what platforms gather.

References:

• Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2024/02/05/the-push-for-transparency-in-influencer-marketing/

• Pew Research: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/03/20/americans-views-of-social-media/

Two Real Cases Happening Right Now

1. Data and TikTok issues Because of concerns that China might obtain user data, the United States has considered banning TikTok. Major ethical concerns regarding user safety, privacy, and our actual influence over the platforms we use are brought up by this.

• https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/13/tech/tiktok-ban-explained/index.html

2. The tour of Shein's influencer factory To "prove" that they treat workers decently, Shein flew influencers to their plants, but most people thought it was a publicity stunt. It raised concerns about whether influencers are telling the truth to their followers and how they are employed to promote brand narratives.

• https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/7/3/23781916/shein-influencers-backlash-factory-tour

A Code of Ethics I’d Follow

If I worked in social media, I would want to abide by the PRSA Code of Ethics. They emphasize virtues such as

• Honesty: Don’t mislead your audience

• Advocacy: Promote truth while representing your brand or client

• Loyalty: Be committed to your responsibilities

• Fairness: Treat others with respect and avoid bias

PRSA's strategy ensures that anyone working in the content industry is genuinely fostering public trust rather than merely chasing clicks.

Brands That Are Doing It Right

Patagonia is quite open about its principles and environmental initiatives. Their social media material focuses on education and authentic storytelling rather than sales.

Ben & Jerry's is another company that frequently raises awareness of social justice problems. Even though it isn't the "safe" or easiest course of action, they use their platform to spread awareness.

Professionals I Respect

Cole Bennett is someone I greatly like for his moral conduct on social media. He created a channel called Lyrical Lemonade to help independent artists without taking advantage of them. In a business where attention is everything, he rarely leaves the camera behind and lets the work speak for itself. Cole never posts only to get attention; instead, his material consistently reflects his brand and ideas. Additionally, he acknowledges all those who worked on his projects, including directors, editors, and artists. Such openness and regard for teamwork are excellent models in the creative industry.

Charlieonnafriday exemplifies the ethical and genuine usage of social media. Without going overboard or attempting to gain influence, he offers genuine memories from his life and profession. He maintains brand consistency, encourages positivity, and interacts with followers in a polite manner. He still maintains that sincere, personal tone despite the expansion of his platform. His participation feels more significant than only being promotional because he also uses his platform to express his love for his team, other artists, and issues that he supports.

https://www.instagram.com/charlieonnafriday/

What I’m Taking With Me

Here’s what I want to apply to my own social media practices:

• Always disclose paid content: people should know what’s sponsored

• Focus on realness: viral content isn’t worth it if it’s dishonest

• Be accountable: own up to mistakes and be open to growth

What Really Matters for Personal Conduct

• Transparency: Be upfront if you're getting compensated or endorsing something

• Empathy: Remember that there are actual people reading a message

• Credibility: Verify information before publishing anything significant

• Boundaries: To remain relevant, you don't have to share everything

• Consistency: Don't alter your principles merely to attract attention

What I Want to Avoid

Some things I feel strongly against and will avoid in my own use

• Clickbait: Deception to increase views erodes credibility

• False engagement or followers: This is dishonest and detracts from social media

• Public humiliation or bullying: There's always a polite method to voice your concerns.

• Excessive sharing: Some things are best kept private

• Disseminating false information, particularly on important subjects like politics or health

10 Core Concepts I Will Follow

1. Clearly disclose sponsorships

2. Always protect user privacy

3. Post for a reason rather than merely to attract attention

4. Be inclusive and represent a range of viewpoints

5. Steer clear of dramatization and drama

6. Give artists credit for their efforts

7. Verify the accuracy of all significant posts

8. Honor individual boundaries and mental well-being

9. Interact with genuine intent rather than automated responses

10. Continue to learn since moral principles are constantly changing

https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/journalism-and-media-ethics/resources/digital-media-ethics/

[noahparenteau]

Understanding views on social media for Non-Profits

When running a nonprofit's social media accounts, it's simple to become engrossed in figures that appear great but don't truly inspire change. Vanity metrics are what these are known as. Although metrics like views, likes, and followers may initially give the impression that a page is popular, they don't always result in actual interaction, donations, or new volunteers. It can be a mistake for nonprofit organizations to concentrate solely on these measures, when their primary objective is to have an impact.

Particularly on Instagram, where they now show up first in analytics, video views are a significant vanity metric. However, not all viewpoints are equal because they are defined differently by different platforms. Even if a view is unintentional, Instagram and Facebook count it after just three seconds. Regardless of how long a video is viewed, TikTok records a view as soon as it starts. Only two seconds are needed on LinkedIn and Snapchat, with half of the video shown. YouTube, on the other hand, is more stringent and only counts views after 30 seconds, which makes it a more reliable indicator of genuine interest. Therefore, even while large view counts may seem impressive, they don't always indicate genuine audience interest or involvement.

I looked at Second Chance Pet Rescue, a local group, to get a better idea of how this impacts actual outcomes. They spread the word about their purpose and adoptable animals on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Although their TikTok videos frequently receive over 2,000 views, neither adoptions nor donations have increased as a result of those views. This is due to the fact that a TikTok view is an automatic occurrence and does not indicate that the user actually saw or found the content interesting. Their films receive about 150 views on YouTube, but the audience is more interested. They click on the links to the nonprofit's donation website, share the films, and write comments. Even though there are fewer of them, these viewers are more essential because they are genuinely acting.

Nonprofits might want to start concentrating on more significant data rather than meaningless measures like views. Conversion rate is the proportion of individuals who completed a contribution or subscribed to a newsletter, whereas clickthrough rate indicates the number of people who clicked on a link after viewing a post. Another helpful metric for determining how interested your audience is in your material is the engagement rate, which takes into account likes, comments, shares, and saves. Nonprofits can determine whether they are genuinely establishing a connection with their community by using these kinds of data. The greatest approach for Second Chance Pet Rescue and similar nonprofit organizations would be to provide moving, narrative content that inspires viewers to become involved. Video is still crucial, but it should be combined with powerful text, excellent images, and obvious calls to action, such "Help us find this pet a home" or "Donate now." Posts of this kind have a higher chance of garnering more actual support in addition to views.

Although vanity metrics might be fascinating to observe, they don't always provide a whole picture of the impact of a nonprofit. It is more beneficial to see past appearances and concentrate on the important things, such as creating a community of support, fostering genuine action, and establishing meaningful relationships. Social media can be a very effective tool for organizations if handled carefully. Organizations can improve their relationship with their audience and advance their mission by reorienting the focus from simple data to purposeful, content-driven material.

[noahparenteau]

Intro to My Social Media Journey

I don't instantly turn to an academic term when I consider what social media is. Social media is, in my opinion, this dynamic place where individuals go to create, share, watch, vent, learn, and simply be themselves online. It's an entire culture, not just platforms or apps. It is where we interact with people we have never even met in person, where movements begin, where trends become global overnight, and where memes are born. It's simultaneously strange, crazy, and lovely. According to the textbook, it's "user generated content shared on digital platforms," but in my opinion, it's closer to an enormous, untidy online gathering place that never closes.

I would say that my use of social media falls somewhere between being casual and being compulsive. Although I wouldn't consider myself an influencer or anything, I do spend a lot of time online, mostly on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok It still feels strange. I frequently scroll. Like, perhaps more than I should to. I adore short form material, including deep dives into unexpected subjects, humorous skits, music videos and behind the scenes videos. Although I don't post frequently on my main feeds, I will engage with others by liking, commenting, and sharing content on my stories. I wouldn't describe myself as consistent, although I have delved in content creation I am mostly simply absorbing.

I believe that having a thorough understanding of social media is one of my advantages. Whether it's the timing, the editing, the relatability, or just a catchy sound, I can see why a post or video is performing well. Since I've been on the internet I've become accustomed to the culture. I understand how to use several platforms and how each has an own personality. For instance, content that is successful on TikTok won't be as effective on Instagram or Twitter. That kind of intuition is useful, in my opinion, particularly if you're considering a job in social media or marketing. Nevertheless, I do face difficulties. Avoiding social media is arguably one of the most important. It is addictive. I can scroll for hours on end without even noticing. It can also be a little overwhelming at times. Everyone, including those my age, wants to be noticed, go viral, and establish a brand. Additionally, that stress might negatively impact your emotional well-being. Even though you know that half of what you see online is fake, it might be difficult to avoid comparing yourself to other people. Additionally, the algorithms are constantly evolving, and it can be draining to stay on top of trends.

I hope to gain a deeper comprehension of social media's actual operation not just how to use it, but also how to critically think about it from this course. I'm interested in finding out how algorithms determine what we see, what causes content to go viral, and how various platforms have distinct cultures. Additionally, I'd like to know more about branding and professional social media usage. I'd like to investigate producing content with a greater sense of purpose. I also want to establish a more positive relationship with these platforms. I hope to continue learning how to utilize social media in a more intentional and balanced manner after this program because it may be overwhelming.