Post 2: Social Media Ethics

     Freedom of Speech. What does this phrase mean when it comes to Social Media? Many things and people come to mind when freedom of speech is mentioned. There are many people that think that it is ok to say whatever they want on social media and for some reason they expect that nobody will disagree with what they posted. Some know that there will be backlash on a post and just don't care. In class, we mentioned that freedom of speech does not mean that you are free from consequences. There is a point were a rant turns into an attack and that is when it is not ok to say whatever you want online.

    Many businesses and companies now ask for social media handles on job applications. They use your social media to get an idea of who you are and decide whether or not you should be hired or if your beliefs and standards match those of the company. Social media and work can also be a tricky thing when it comes to your job controlling what you can and can't post. There are many jobs that have to be careful with what they post because one misstep and you could lose your job. Some may feel that your job watching and looking at your social media is an invasion of privacy, but a company may see this as making sure their employees don't make the company look bad. 

    Everyone feels different about whether or not it is ok to say whatever you want online, but ultimately when it comes to people's opinions no amount of articles, tagging, or comebacks can change somebody's mind about what they have said in a post online. Somethings are better left unsaid or just aren't worth making a fuss over in the first place, so think about what you are going to say online before you say it and whether it is actually worth putting out into the world and if you are ready for the repercussions that may follow.