Blog post #5

Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space- what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)? 

The social media world comes with a variety of risks and benefits. To start, social media allows people to establish contacts, and create relationships with people all over the world. It also allows individuals to learn from others without face-to-face interactions. Although these things are major benefits that have changed our world for the better, social media also brings along some severe risks. For those in the spotlight such as social influencers, athletes, and government influencers, social media can provide a space for severe negativity. Being in the spotlight, mostly showcasing their lives on social media, many people are judgmental about every move an individual in the spotlight makes. Engaging with the public audience on this level can have a severe negative effect on someone’s mental health, and create a very negative space.  The position of spotlight although it can give someone fame and a following I believe is outweighed by the negative effects as people are constantly following along with their every move, and criticizing them as they go. 

How to best address negative replies and critiques reflective of your personal values and employer social media policy? 

When it comes to negative replies, many people act on addressing them and are affected by them differently. Personally, I believe that negative comments need to be addressed and responded to only if the individual feels as if it is a need. For instance, if someone comments negatively about someone’s family or personal morals, there can be a comment to reply back. Otherwise, if rumors or silly negative comments that are said just in the light to bring someone down, should be ignored. Overall I believe that individuals should try their best and not look at, or engage with negative replies as it may start to deteriorate and severely affect one’s mental health over time. It should be recognized that not everyone in society will agree upon, and therefore no matter the negativity someone receives an individual should continue to stick to their selves. 

How do notable individuals use social media? 

Notable individuals should recognize that when using social media, everyone can see what you are doing, and therefore everything you post, and comment represents who you are. Because a majority of people know who the notable individual is, they need to be aware that what they perceive to the public can put a label on their name, and affect how others view them without actually personally knowing them. By putting certain things on their PLN’s it can not only affect how followers and other influencers view you but can also affect your work environment as sometimes many companies or corporations are unsure if they want to work with someone based on what they are posting online. 

What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN? 

When an individual is in the public eye and has a PLN, it can provide that individual a variety of different opportunities that they may not have had without their PLN. Initially, these individuals with popular PLN’s can create a platform in which they want the world to perceive them. They have the ability to choose what to show to the world, and what they intend to keep in their private lives. Also by having a public PLN, is a great chance for corporations and potential job opportunities to look at you and see more of your personal life, and who you are. Social media and PLN’s give an advantage in showcasing someone more than just a resume of accomplishments allowing for a more realistic and personal relationship to the individual. 

Building community with online tools provided by the employer can be limiting, what are the perceived restrictions and benefits?  

When using online tools, with an employer comes with significant gains and losses. For example, online tools allow for people to connect and create a relationship with other employees easily. These connections are important to ensure that people work well together and ensure the best outcome of work possible. It allows for quick connections and responses when working, so things can be done fast and efficiently. On the other hand, when using online tools, the employer is accessible to all of the different moves an individual makes. In this case, if somewhere an individual made a mistake, the employer has full access to this, it can affect their status and what the employer thinks of that individual. 

Delivering information in a connected society requires verifiable resources, how to build a PLN rely on? 

Establishing trust on social media platforms, and building verifiable resources is a key aspect to social media and PLN’s that needs to be improved. It is believed that we need withhold from posting and spreading information that is in fact not true, and establish and ensure the accuracy of truth within the posted content. With this, we can create an environment where our PLN’s are more accurate and stay truly connected within society. 

How do those who are veteran storytellers, minimize risk in sharing misinformation?

When sharing information on your PLN, people need to revise and go over all of the information that they are intending on sharing with the public on their platforms. Wording sentences in a specific way, or using an improper word in a sentence exaggerating the significance of the message trying to get across, can completely change the message, and individual perception of the message. Not only will your information being sent out be looked at as misinformation but, also you could be looked at as someone who gives out misleading, and false information, therefore, having people not trust what you are putting on your platform. As the interview states, follow and reflect on the accounts that you personally follow and learn from what they put out, to ensure what you are putting out is as reasonable, and something that another person would use in this same situation.