Campus Life

Social Media 371 - 2/6/2012

It’s 2012! Just in case you haven’t noticed. Just thought I would throw that in there in case anyone else out there gets made fun of for putting “2011” on all their papers like I do. I don’t have any classes on Tuesday/Thursday this semester so I’ve been spending a lot more time on my laptop and on social networks. I realized that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other networking sites can be bittersweet. So I thought I would share my wisdom with the world on how to go about this thing we are all sooooo obsessed with.

Firstly let’s address the content that goes on to these social media sites. Social networks are supposed to be fun and social, but you do not want to let it ruin your personal life. I have no problem unfollowing or defriending someone who is posting things I don’t want to see or hear, but a lot of people don’t realize that what you do or say online can disrupt your image with people you didn’t intend to see the post. It is not unusual to see relationships ruined, jobs lost, or other tragedies because of something that was posted on a social network. Employers, colleagues, and even schools often check social networking websites to get to know peoples’ interest and hobbies before making decisions about their future relationship. Working in the Admissions Office at Wingate has changed my whole perspective of how to interpret a simple email address. So anything that you wouldn’t want them to see shouldn’t make the internet no matter how funny it is, or good you looked.

Now for one of a few things that annoy me. Along the lines of business and pleasure is knowing when to be professional and when to be informal. If you’re typing an email to a professor and ask “wHat diD i miZz iN claZz t0dayZ?” then there is probably a reason you haven’t gotten a reply back. (Honestly, if you ask me a question like that on Twitter I wouldn’t reply either.) The Office of Career Services and Internships often puts on a media etiquette lyceum, so if you aren’t aware of how to distinguish between a professional and relaxed conversation this would be a great event to check out.

Social media isn’t all bad. I often joke with my mom about how Twitter will replace newspapers one day. They are a great way to stay in touch with the world around you, connect with people that have the same interests as you. It is easy to abuse a social network without knowing you have done it and because of the popularity of Twitter and Facebook it is important to be careful what is posted on these websites.

Thanks for reading, and if you want more than what you got hear you can shoot me an email at bloggers@wingate.edu with the subject line Andrew for my Facebook and Twitter information.

Recent Blog Posts