Legal and Ethics Issues With Social Media

I could only imagine what some of the older lawyers and judges said when social media started to become a popular avenue for expressing people's thoughts. It has created a large portion of work, not to mention the rules and standards are still being written. In an article titled, "How Social Media Is Pushing the Limits of Legal Ethics"they go through several examples of social media being used in legal situations. The article varies from jurors tweeting while doing their juror duty to jurors being chosen through Facebook and they even discuss if a Foursquare check-in will work as an alibi or as proof that you were at a disclosed place at a certain time.

An interesting fact that I stumbled upon while reading articles on this subject was the widening of the intergenerational gap. Here is a quote explaining this idea.


"The last 2 decades, in particular, have been characterized by exponential advances in technology, especially by personal access to ever more sophisticated electronic devices for information retrieval and communication. Concomitant changes in cultural mores relative to the use of such devices have widened the intergenerational gap, affecting all institutions, including law and education." (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/736430)


 One thing is for certain, as social media changes the rules, laws, and ethics surrounding it will also change. It will be interesting to look back at cases that go all the way through the supreme court and see rulings that have dealt with social media and the laws of the First Amendment.

Text Messages, Apps and QR Codes

I remember getting excited in the early 2000's when I found out I could get sports updates via text messages to my cell phone. I spent hours signing up for all my favorite sports teams. On average I would receive 10-50 text messages a day with breaking news or every time my favorite football team scored. As technology has progressed applications (apps) have taken over the majority of how I receive information, both in sports and even with news. On my phone at this time I have seven different sports apps. One collects all the tweets from players, coaches and journalists for the NFL, NHL and NCAA football. Two of them are apps that I use for my fantasy sports teams. Two others are getting updates on scores for the various sports I follow and the final two are direct links to my favorite baseball team and my favorite NFL teams ranking and schedules.

Another thing that I have enjoyed in the last few years that has still kept text messaging relevant for me has been using certain apps to do group texting. I use this with several friends to discuss sporting news and often to argue which teams are better than others. It has been a fun way to have a group discussion via text messaging. The two I have used for this are Group Me and Google Voice but there are several other options. Here is an article that goes over the top 5 of these applications.

Another app that has taken the technology and advertising worlds by storm is the use of QR codes. Like a barcode it stores information that can instantly be uploaded to your phone. I have seen several local businesses in Logan, Utah take advantage of the QR codes. For example. Lebeau's has a QR code on the wall at every table in their restaurant. If you upload the information each one is a different business that is advertising their products or services. Marketers, advertisers and PR pros are continually helping to write the book as to how to use QR codes and what to avoid. Here is an article explaining this point. I have seen QR codes on head stones, I have seen them in random shapes of different companies logos but they all have two things in common. They store information and they are a risk when downloading it to your phone. As with any technology hackers and people who enjoy destroying things use technology to send viruses and corrupt programs that can cripple your phone or computer. When scanning a QR code, you are taking a risk that it is malicious, so be careful!

Search Engine Optimization

This concept has to be one of the most brilliant ideas in online work. Using certain algorithms you can help companies get higher and higher on search engine lists. For example, if your tag line were something like "Your business elevated," you can use search engine optimization to have your company come up when key words are entered at google. Perhaps when people search for business ideas or help your name could come up. If you offer unique services you can have those services come up when people are searching for certain ideas that you offer but they may not know you exist. I must admit I am quite ignorant in this topic so far but currently am learning more about it for a business that I helped create. I found an article that goes over the Ethical Search Engine Optimization Practices, which is something that is critical to know.

Another article I found described some tips for doing search engine optimization on a local level. Some of the tips include getting your company name in to as many directories as you can. Online and in print, like phone books and then submit your site to local search engines like google business center and stuff like that. The more work you do in the beginning will result in the more success that comes from this great tool.

Collaborative and Distance Communication Tools: Skype For A Purpose

Skype For A Purpose

There is no doubt that Skype or Skyping has taken off. It is a great tool that allows people to communicate through video chatting from different continents or just next door. You can use it for personal reasons or educational reasons but one of the main keys is to use it for a specific purpose. As with any tool in social media if you don’t have a good reason or purpose to use it, the effectiveness of the tool is not utilized. This is especially true within education. Many younger classes throughout the world have used Skype to connect classes from different countries. Teachers are now saying they should not do this unless actual things are being taught and education is continuing to be on the forefront of the conversation. Check out thisarticle I found confirming this point.

Another phenomenon starting to take place is clubbing fromhome via Ustream or Boiler Room. I have to admit I have never heard of this and I think it is quite sad that sitting on your couch watching people party is your idea of a good time but hey at least you won’t be driving home under the influence (trying to find some positives here…). However, you could use services like these to check out a party before you go to see if it is worth your time. As always, technology is amazing and things will continue to come out of the woodworks that will be able to connect people throughout the world together.

Viral Videos: A New Sensation

Viral Videos: A New Sensation

Times are changing, videos are easily shared and laughter is common with unique, strange, and even sketchy videos of people these days. Marketers are using viral videos to capture thousands of impressions within hours and some times even minutes. As I was reading articles on viral videos I found one that talks about some of the lesson’s learned from viral videos in 2010.  Click on this to see the article and all the videos associated with it!

My favorite things mentioned in the article are these:

The Local TV News is a Breeding Ground for Viral Stars – as in Antoine Dodson and his “hide your kids, hide your wife” video. Or the strange Leprechaun in the South.

Stop-Motion Animation More Popular Than Ever – some things never die! 

We Like To See Unique People Being Themselves – Pants on the ground! Need I say more… Ok, I will. For some reason watching strange people do stupid things is funny and brings some sense of satisfaction to us, mainly laughter.

Brands Get Serious About Viral Quality & Innovation – Old Spice is one of the leading companies in this effort. Lots of views, strange commercials, but people remember Old Spice.

Source: Top Viral Video Marketing Lessons From 2010 http://www.reelseo.com/viral-video-lessons-2010/#ixzz1aUtWCJiY
©2008-2011 ReelSEO.com Online Video Guide 

Another great article on viral videos: http://techcrunch.com/2007/11/22/the-secret-strategies-behind-many-viral-videos/

This article may be four years old, but it shows not only where viral videos started but the core goal of getting to the most viewed page is still the main goal. Most of the points are the still relevant today.

Location Based Services – A Marketer’s Dream

It took a few years for some consumers to adopt location based services but nonetheless it has taken the social media world and marketing world by storm. Google latitude, Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, just about every avenue of social media has some version of recording where you are when you post a message or check in to an event or at a certain location.

According to an article I found on Mobile Marketing Association’s website they believe location based services “are advertising or marketing services that use specific location information for delivering the right message to the right person at the right place AND time.” (http://mmaglobal.com/articles/location-based-services-%E2%80%93-marketer%E2%80%99s-dream)

Marketer’s have utilized these services and it is paying dividends by the boat load. With nearly every household having at least one smart phone, people are using location-based services whether they know it or not… thank you Google.  The problem however is many people with these phones do not know what location based services are or how to utilize them. Another article I found did a survey to find out exactly what people thought about these services. The results are quite stunning.

“Most smartphone users are unaware of these apps or do not know what they do, according to the survey. About two-thirds of the smartphone users in the White Horse survey do not use LBS (60.1 percent, or 266 of 437 respondents), and 72.6 percent of this group either ‘don’t know about’ any of them or ‘know about them but don’t know what they do.’” (http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/research/9531.html)

Look for marketer’s and location based services to continue in creating awareness of these services and how users can utilize them to make life easier and fun. Foursquare as easily had the lead in these services and they offer deals at certain locations, a point system with quality check ins, mayorships when you have been the most frequent visitor that month, etc.

Traditional Views

Traditional Media Trying To Incorporate Social Media

Traditional media will eventually have to connect to social media in some aspect or be left to wade around in dust and cobwebs.  Newspapers and other media outlets of the previous decades are doing their best to keep their “integrity” and “journalistic reputation” while still incorporating the new phases of technology.

Here are 5 ways they are doing this.

1. Widget TV

“Verizon will soon push a software update to its FiOS service that will allow customers to connect their set-top boxes to the Web.” They are also finding ways to incorporate Facebook and Twitter into video production.

2. Pitch the Editor-in-Chief
John Byrne, editor in chief of Business Week, has his twitter followers send their pitches via clicking on his link on his twitter page. This is just one example of old journalism, mixing with the new.

3. Newspapers on YouTube

This is self explanatory, but nonetheless it is brilliant.

4. Now playing at a Bookstore Near You

Book publishers posting trailers on YouTube? Many people thought books were going to struggle; this can really help curb that idea or at least keep them alive for a few more years.

5. Literati as Twitterati

Publishing poems, books, and articles on twitter, crazy right?  Of course it would have to be in 140 character increments but some people, especially in Britain, love this idea.

All information including the 5 ideas and quotes came from http://mashable.com/2009/05/04/old-media-goes-social/

How Traditional Media Created Social Media

This may come as a shock to many and I am sure many would disagree with this idea, but I have read several articles and posts referring to this phenomenon. One of them is http://socialmediatoday.com/mike-frey/170938/how-traditional-media-created-social-media

Basically, the old media, more formally known as the big three or TV, Radio, and Print or newspapers cared more about ratings and who was watching or tuning in. With social media we tailor things the way we want them, and we are seeing the focus being how many instead of just who. That is the difference and the fact the older and more traditional media is starting to adapt or fade away is further proof to this point.

One quote from the article I loved and completely agree with is this, “ I stopped my subscription to the newspaper because they failed to give me the news I was looking for in a timely manner.  Radio; what once was the rebel of the big three is now just a corporate suit.  It’s no wonder that social media has exploded and will continue to grow.  People will always gather were they’re entertained.”