The Arab Spring has been called the bloggers revolution. Social media played a tremendous role in this revolution. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and so many more. In 2011, when the fruit vendor Mohamed Bouazizi was publicly killed, many cell phones recorded his protest and the videos kick-started the uprising. According to the Huffington Post, "Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian who set himself on a blaze protesting police corruption, became literally the torch that lit the Arab Spring revolution..." (Andrew Lam, 9-14-12. From Arab Spring to Autumn Rage: The Dark Power of Social Media). Social networking websites has played an important role during modern day activism. Many activists who played crucial roles in the Arab Spring, used social networking as a key tool in expressing their thoughts concerning unjust acts committed by the government. Through social networking, Arab Spring activists not only gained the power to overthrow powerful dictatorship but it also helped Arab civilians become aware of the underground communities that exist. So I would say social media played a huge role in Arab Spring.
They say be aware what you may post on social media sites because it can make you or break you. With Lindsey Stone, it broke her because she was fired over a picture that she posted on her Facebook page. I find it unfair the jobs and the government look into peoples background by also using social media sites. I do not agree with some of the things that are posted on social media sites but I don't feel that it should be held against you when it comes to things like business, employment, and education. That is basically saying that we as people do not have the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Like I said I do not agree with some of the things posted on social media sites like the naked and inappropriate photos and videos, the inappropriate so-called jokes but that is a person's right. Like there was controversy of a gay couple posting a picture with their daughter starting their day, that is their right. A mother posting a picture of her breastfeeding her child, her right. So because these people posts these pictures they should be held back or even fired from a job that they are extremely qualified to do and would and are a great asset to the company, completely unfair. I feel that people should make better choices on the things they post, I feel that 100 percent but I do not feel that they should be punished for them. If they post is a criminal act, then yes of course but not if they are posting a picture of themselves in a provocative outfit, or posting a picture of themselves with their spouse and they are a homosexual couple. People should not be faulted for unharmful expression.
I myself tend to monitor my digital presence. I have a twitter account but I do not use it. I have a Facebook account but I only post tasteful family photos and memorable photos with my friends. I do not discuss or make post or statuses about my personal business. Anything I post is something that will not be incriminating for me in the future. I do not having any arguments within social media because that is just distasteful and immature. Forbes actually released an article called, "4 Tips to Manage Your Online Reputation," by Ty Kiisel on 11/20/12. According to the article the tips were: 1.) Don't forget your brand is every touch point, meaning don't say or do anything on social media that would reflect poorly on your personal brand. 2.) If you argue online, you lose, meaning arguing on social media is public to everyone and makes you look like an immature idiot. 3.) Be polite and remember the golden rule, meaning regardless of the topic and how passionate you feel about the topic, be polite and considerate online. 4.)Remember what happens online, stays online, meaning the internet never forgets, every response or picture is captured and stored on a server someplace so Google can link to it. Now there are probably more tips to managing your online reputation but I feel that these are the most basic and the key ones to follow. I know I follow them so that what I do can not come back to bite me.
No comments:
Post a Comment