A Child's Advocate: Using Social Media to Get Connected

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Using Social Media to Get Connected

My experience with social media has not always been thought of as positive. In a previous position I held I had many co-workers who I deemed as friends stab me in the back only to watch me spiral down due to rumors. After that I made it a point to trust no one and I haven’t been able to really let anyone in without suspicion of their intentions. With the blog writing and Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook, I wonder how these people can be so open with their thoughts and feelings and not get hurt. Even writing this EC blog for school makes me nervous at times.

So to carry on with the assignment, social media makes me think of vulnerability. Although in modern cases I should really be focusing on the many endless people who are able to join in and gain information because of it. Because of social media, more things are known to more people. If wanting to research a company before taking part in their services, customers can see reviews from other customers, read about past jobs, maybe gain a price list, and get an overall feel for the company by the layout of their webpage. Talk about first impressions, they no longer have to occur in person.

I was looking for a community service organization by my home so my daughter and I could get involved, and we found a local place that I was able to look up and research. Although the building looked a little scary the website was very bright and informative. There were links that took me to videos, conferences, ways to help, and to photos of past events. I thought it was great and really changed my perspective and knowledge of the “lonely” building I had seen.

I think the best social media tools are webpages that anyone can access. I want to make the access a point because there is no logging in to see them. Only because for people like me who don’t watch cable, or maybe also for those who aren’t glued to the radio all day to hear commercials that way, the Internet at least provides a place to research and gain information. I would say though that I have seen billboards that have gotten my attention that have prompted me to look up what I read. But since I don’t partake in social media sites like Twitter, the information that is there isn’t gained by me. However, blogs are always a big hit, if you can figure out how to use them J.

I know that major search engine sites like Yahoo! and Google are a first go to for me. Through Yahoo! and MSN news stories are what people see first. These news stories lead from reading to information to wanting to know more. I think with trying to advocate there is a good chance that calling the news media or a site like Yahoo! and pleading for your story to be listed has one great chance of getting noticed.

Colleagues, what do you think about blogs and webpages versus television and radio? Also, does anyone know how to find different blogs by searching for something in a category like- cooking??

3 comments:

Cymantha Channey WhiteAugust 4, 2012 at 6:05 PM
Tina,
I'm kind of like you in a sense when it comes to being non-trusting of people and information shared on social media. I've always second guessed television/radio information because I've always heard that they only put information on that raises their ratings & it doesn't have to be truthful. I guess that there is a good side to blogs and webpages--at least some of the information on these types of networks can be validated or confirmed through the reference citations that are sometimes given. Nevertheless, credibility of information is always questionable whether it is on television, radio, blogs or websites--you just can't tell if its really true or not sometimes.

Great post :)
CCWhite
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TeresaAugust 5, 2012 at 7:11 PM
Tina,
I am an individual who is an open book, however, I am not one who leaves her Facebook open to everyone only to friends and family who I have okay’d to look at my page and photos. Throughout the years, I have made sure to be careful when posting things, due to they are cyber and there forever..I have shared this with my teenagers and coworkers, everything you share on the internet is open for the world to see and rate. I watch some television, but I am one to look it up on google to obtain the proper hyperlink to a creditable researcher or team. With data and statistics, along with you and Cymantha, I find the radio and television play on what sells from sex to sob stories to death and violence. People rant and rave about what is on the television, but we are not having a gun held to our head to watch a channel or a show, turn it off or turn the channel. I feel that we have a variety of choices to obtain information and knowledge and I appreciate that it is at our fingertips. Good post on your blog, thank you for sharing!
Teresa
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mrsmcgAugust 9, 2012 at 12:13 PM
I am often amazed at some of the postings on Facebook where people share very intimate feelings. I would never be able to open up myself like that for just anyone to see. Also, I don't like the "airing of dirty laundry" that happens on this site.
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Personal Childhood Web

Terry- A neighbour of mine when I was a teenager. She was like a big sister in a way and treated me like my age instead of like a small child. I could confide in her and she helped me through a sticky situation when I was in high school. She taught me that although things seemed bad at the time and like there was no possible way out, that all things end eventually. That thought has helped me through some tough times in my life.
Chris- My brother. Chris joined the service when I was young, but when I'd visit him he never ceased to congratulate a grade or a new step in my life. He is someone who gives appreciation and shows admiration to everyone. He is intense to learn more about you and to help you feel better about yourself along the way. He carries my favorite trait which is sometimes hard to find- common sense. I hope I have gathered at least a handful of his knowledge and kindness along the way. His open heart and courage to do good is a constant reminder to me that there is more to people than meets the eye.
Kathy- A friend of my mother's, she was and still is someone who tells it like it is. She would never hide anything about the truth to me and she was comical in telling it. If I had a question, Kathy had a straightforward answer. Still to this day Kathy will not hesitate to give meaningful opinions and life lessons to me. I don't call her enough, but I do think of her constantly especially when life throws me a curve ball and I make some kind of joke out of it!
Louise- A friend of my mother's, she was someone I could tell things to that I was afraid to tell my mom. She would comfort me and let me know I was normal and tried to figure out ways to help me in any situation. She stayed calm and optimistic and I always admired those traits about her that I wish I could have found at home. Louise has definitely taught me to stay true to myself and not try to change to meet another's needs. She's also taught me positivity lasts longer and doesn't create as many wrinkles.
Melanie- She was a childhood friend who had a stable family life and was very intelligent. She helped me study and she helped me see past what other's thought to find out what I thought. Melanie is someone who I assume went on to become some kind of life changing scientist. She showed me dedication, and for a young child to see a peer unafraid of committment to something left a lasting impression.