Social Media Tips

Our class chat the other night about social media and its role in scholastic journalism got me thinking about what advice I would give my students about their personal social media accounts.  I thought of how I manage my social media accounts and thought of a few tips:

1.     User Names:  Keep them appropriate, easy to remember and a representation of yourself. For accounts that require a first and last name rather than a user name abbreviate your full name.  For example: If I do not want to be easily found on a social media site like Facebook, I could use my middle name instead of my last:  Katie Marie.  This may make it harder for my friends to find me, but it will also make it harder for people I do not want to be friends with to find me.

2.      Profile Pictures:  When choosing a picture to represent yourself avoid pictures with others, so that someone may easily identify you.  Avoid pictures with anything illegal or that portrays you in a questionable situation.  Choose a photograph that is flattering, does not crop others out, and  that you would show your future employers as well as your friends.

3.     Posts:  When tweeting, writing on someone's wall or giving a picture a caption remember that grammar rules still apply.  Although abbreviations are often acceptable, especially when given a word limit, do not user more abbreviations than necessary.  Also do not hide behind social media or allow it to be a place to sound off.  If you would not say it to someone's face, it should not be said on social media.  Also one most consider who will see the post because not only can people respond, but they can also save what you have written even if you decide to delete it later.

4.     The Internet Knows No End:  Think before you post!  Once something has been posted, tweeted or shared it cannot be taken back.  People save photos, take screen shots of posts and hack accounts all of the time.  If you do not want something to be available forever then it is best not to post it, tweet it or share it.

5.     Explore:  Although it is important to be cautious, social media is a great tool for news gathering, building a following, establishing a personality and interacting with others!  Just don't do anything I wouldn't do! ;)