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SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

twitter.com/SocialMediaQUB

facebook.com/SocialMediaQUB

Cleaning up your online profile

Employers are increasingly using social media sites to screen prospective employees. It is never too early to clean up your ‘digital dirt’. Things which may put off future employers and that you are advised to remove include:

• Referencestodruguseorexcessivealcohol consumption

• Supportofcriminalactivity

• Extremist or intolerant views, e.g. racism, homophobia,sexism,sectarianism

• Inappropriate pictures, e.g. nudity

• Foul language or lewd comments

• Membership of controversial or inappropriate groups

• Inappropriate profile names and pictures!

Can I set up a social media site related to my studies or a Students’ Union Club or Society?

Before setting up any social media site that could be perceived to be related to Queen’s, you must obtain permission from your Head of School or the Students’ Union Marketing Manager.

What should I do if someone posts offensive comments or images of me?

If someone posts something that causes you offence or embarrassment, a polite request for removal should usually suffice.

If the problem continues, or you feel you are being harassed, don’t hesitate to report this using the links provided on the social networking site. If you’ve received threatening messages or believe an offence has been committed, report it to the PSNI.

If you are being harassed online by another student, inform your Head of School or the Students’ Union.

For further advice on using social media, check out our blog at blogs.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia or follow SocialMediaQUB on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have a specific query about the appropriate use of social media, email: socialmedia@qub.ac.uk

WARNING!WHAT HAPPENS

ONLINE DOESN’T ALWAYS STAY

ONLINE!

Remember that University Conduct Regulations apply to online as well as offline behaviour.

You must abide by the Social Media Policy for Students and the Computer Resources - Acceptable Use Policy available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia

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What’s it all about?

Social media is a great way of staying in touchand keeping up with what’s happening, but it canalso be used to cause offence or embarrassment.We want our students to get the most out of siteslike Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, so we havecreated this guide to help you enjoy social mediain a way that won’t compromise your personalsafety, studies or future career.

CONNECTKeep up-to-date with topics related to yourstudies or prospective career

•UseFacebookandTwittertofindoutaboutchanges to University services such as theLibrary and IT facilities

•FindoutifyourSchoolusessocialmedia

•Gettoknowotherpeopleonyourcourseandinteract on group assignments

•Connectwithprofessionalbodiesandemployers you would like to work with

•Butdon’tletsocialmediadistractyoufromyour studies - it is more important to get yourassignment in on time!

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RESPECTThink before you post

• Avoidusingsexist,homophobic,racistor sectarian language

• Askpermissionbeforesharingimagesofothers

• Considerwhetheryourpostcouldcauseoffence or embarrassment, now or in the future - even if it is not intended

• Avoidusingsocialmediaifyou’reupsetor have been drinking - you are more likely to post something you later regret!

PROTECTThere is no such thing as an entirely privatesocial media site

• Checktheprivacysettingsofsitesyouuse

• Cleanupyouronlineprofileanddon’tpost anything that you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to see

• Becarefulaboutthepersonalinfoyoumake available online - don’t let everyone know where you live or that you are going away for the weekend

• Remember-anythingyouputonlinemay become public and will probably be around for years

Going on work placement?

We want you to show employers how greatQueen’s students are, so remember:

• Don’tpostnegativecommentsaboutyour colleagues, your employers or their clients

• Beextracarefulthatyoudon’tputanything online that could identify vulnerable groups such as patients or children

• Don’tacceptfriendrequestsfrompatientsor children that you are working with

• Don’tputanythingonlinethatmaybe confidential such as contract details or financial information

• Findoutaboutyourplacementemployer’s social media policy

• Trytokeeppersonalandprofessionalonline activities separate

16/09/2013 10:31

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE FOR STUDENTS

What should I do if someone posts offensive comments or images of me?

If someone posts something that causes you offence or embarrassment, a polite request for removal should usually suffice.

If the problem continues, or you feel you are being harassed, don’t hesitate to report this using the links provided on the social networking site. If you’ve received threatening messages or believe an offence has been committed, report it to the PSNI.

If you are being harassed online by another student, inform your Head of School or the Students’ Union.

For further advice on using social media, check out our blog at blogs.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia or follow SocialMediaQUB on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have a specific query about the appropriate use of social media, email: socialmedia@qub.ac.uk

WARNING!WHAT HAPPENS

ONLINE DOESN’T ALWAYS STAY

ONLINE!

Remember that University Conduct Regulations apply to online as well as offline behaviour.

You must abide by the Social Media Policy for Students and the Computer Resources - Acceptable Use Policy available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia

twitter.com/SocialMediaQUB

facebook.com/SocialMediaQUB

Cleaning up your online profile

Employers are increasingly using social media sites to screen prospective employees. It is never too early to clean up your ‘digital dirt’. Things which may put off future employers and that you are advised to remove include:

• Referencestodruguseorexcessivealcohol consumption

• Supportofcriminalactivity

• Extremist or intolerant views, e.g. racism, homophobia,sexism,sectarianism

• Inappropriate pictures, e.g. nudity

• Foul language or lewd comments

• Membership of controversial or inappropriate groups

• Inappropriate profile names and pictures!

Can I set up a social media site related to my studies or a Students’ Union Club or Society?

Before setting up any social media site that could be perceived to be related to Queen’s, you must obtain permission from your Head of School or the Students’ Union Marketing Manager.

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