The Social Networks’ SOCIAL NET WORTH

Social Responsible Leadership

Atawanna Royal

Student Organizations Coordinator

Department of Campus Life

Social Network

A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.

The Social Networks’ SOCIAL NET WORTH

• Why use Social Networks

• Social Networking Site Dangers

• Impact on Schooling and Employment

• Private Matters Matter

• Getting your Social NETWORTH

2/3rd US households use social networks, twice as many as a year ago

98% of US college students age 18-25 use Facebook

Facebook has over 400 million “active” users, half of which login on any given day, 100 million via their mobile device

U.S. Facebook users 55 and older grew by 922% in a year and is now 10 million

Top 10 ways to communicate

10 Make a personal visit 9 Send a letter via mail (postal service) 8 Make a phone call 7 Video Conference 6 Send a message via Xbox Live or Wii 5 Instant message through AOL, Yahoo, Google, BBM 4 Send a txt via mobile device 3 Access myspace page 2 Follow on Twitter 1 Facebook

Why Use Social Networks? • It’s where the students are • Provides a sense of community • Seen as a forum to postulate views • Fun way to stay connected with old friends or make

new friends • Forum for communication (individual/group/mass)

and collaboration • Allows for self-expression and self-representation

DANGER: Beware of the Risks

Can result in social engineering, identity theft, financial fraud, infected computers, stalking, child abuse, sexual predation, defamation, lawsuits, mad boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/parent, unwanted legacy, embarrassment, …

Take my stuff, please!

Question

“In an age where technology allows you to

express yourself and expose your life to both

friends and strangers, what kind of impression

would members of society get of you if they were to discover information about you available online today?”

What were they thinking?...

… At Louisiana State University, swimmers criticized their coaches on Facebook and were kicked off the team…

…Police busted an underage drinking party at George Washington University in Washington D.C. after finding invitations online…

…One student was denied admission to Reed College in Portland, Oregon after it was brought to the dean’s attention that the student had posted hostile comments about college officials on his Live-Journal account…

Impact on Schooling and Employment

Give me a chance please…

One in five employers uses social networks in hiring process.

• Information about alcohol or drug use (41% of managers said this was a top concern)

• Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate's page (40%) • Poor communication skills (29%) • Bad-mouthing of former employers or fellow employees (28%) • Inaccurate qualifications (27%) • Unprofessional screen names (22%) • Notes showing links to criminal behavior (21%) • Confidential information about past employers (19%) “Hiring managers said that profiles showing a professional image and solid references can boost a candidate's chances for a job.”

Law of Unintended Consequences

That Important “P” Word

privacy, : \’prī-və-sē, n. “The claim of individuals, groups or institutions to determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.”

The Important “P” word vs. The Other Important “P” word

“The claim of individuals, groups or institutions to determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.”

PERCEPTIONS

Perception is Reality…

Perceive: to recognize, discern, envision, or understand

Who’s peeking? • Friends\family • Friends of friends\family • Parents

• Employers and co-workers – Dec 2009 study commissioned by Microsoft

said 79% of recruiters & hiring mgrs researched applicants online

– CareerBuilder.com study – 45% of employers use social networks to screen job candidates

• Customers

• Universities • Marketing companies\vendors • Criminals\hackers • Government agencies (IRS, SRS!)

• EVERYONE ELSE

Oh no!!! I have Issues…

Get your SOCIAL NET WORTH from Social Networks

• Great way to make connections.

• Communicates the "pulse" of a campus culture.

• Great advertising tool.

• Opportunity to create a positive self-image.

Tips on getting your Social NET WORTH

• Remove pictures, content and links that can send the wrong message to potential employers and others viewing your profile.

• Update social networking profiles regularly to highlight latest accomplishments.

• Consider blocking comments to avoid questionable posts; avoid joining groups whose names could influence a negative perception.

• Consider setting profile to private so only designated friends can view it.

Exercise FORWARD thinking!

Conclusion

• In my opinion, the value of using Social Networks far outweighs the risk.

• Use social networking effectively and positively to establish new relationships, strengthen existing ones, innovate, learn, collaborate, and have fun.

• But beware of the risks so you can do your best to steer clear of them.

• And think before you click!!