With social media, we have to be aware that it is not only our friends that are viewing this information, but the entire online community as well. Whether you have a personal blog to Twitter account to Facebook and even a Foursquare – it is key to make sure that you are aware that what you say, update, tweet, or share online can be seen by all.
However, on each of these sites – we are networked with friends we know from school, athletics, professional conferences, and current or former work positions. Some you know very well, while others you may not – and there are others that are following your every move online. Numerous discussions have been made in relation to cyberbullies (people that bully others through social media sites like discussion boards or MySpace / Facebook) or cyberstalkers (people that literally follow every move you make online).
An interesting post was written on CNN that discusses some of the different types of people that are online and their online behavior. It is good to know who these individuals are and think ahead – meaning, you have to be aware of all of the possible scenarios that could come out of this. Some things might be harmless, while others you need to take very seriously.
Cyberbulling or cyberstalking is not a new thing that has come out with social media – but the fact is that more people are aware of it and are discussing the risks and challenges that it raises for people. On a personal note, I remember as a track and field athlete back in both high school and college seeing what fans, athletes, and even parents of athletes would post negative things about others on discussion forums and various sites.
It was definitely a lesson to learn at an early age in managing a personal reputation and brand – but it also presented a new issue that people, businesses, and others have to be aware of and constantly monitor. Here were a couple of key points I learned along the way:
- Document your actions – make sure that you keep those you trust informed and aware of what is going on.
- Be consistent with your messages and actions online – don’t be angry or aggressive online. Instead, work up a very concise but direct response that you feel that represents your personal brand and reputation.
- Monitor what is being said about you – being aware of a situation is better than not knowing what is going on.
- Really take a good hard look at who your “friends” are – decide which people you are really friends with and who you trust, and which ones are not. It is better to focus on quality instead of quantity when it comes to friends.
The thing is that they feel that they can protect their privacy online and identity – but not anymore. There are ways to find out who these individuals are and share this information with the online community. It is good to be proactive in protecting your reputation and understanding what is being said about you online. know what the rules are, and where to get further information on this situation.
These are just a few of my thoughts on the subject. Hope you all are having a wonderful day.
Best Wishes,
Karen
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