Just like any other community or activity that involves various individuals, input in social media websites has its ethics and dynamics.
Many people use social media like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, blogs and other communities without ever considering what is acceptable. Some social media activities must be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether.
These are the activities that you should never engage in when using social media.
SPAM
Social media were never designed for the aim of spamming. Whatever message you have to share, you can find creative and interesting ways to spread the word instead of spamming people in your network.
Many people use social media to promote a cause or a business. Yet, bombarding people with commercial messages can barely do the trick. Apart from being annoying, spam can get you banned from numerous networks.
HARASSMENT
Harassing other people via social media is probably not a good option. Social media harassment can range from the repeated sending of unwanted messages to openly abusive behavior.
The aim of social media is to allow people to interact with each other and to share useful information.
Most of us have fallen victims to social media harassment. Repeated friend requests, messages coming from the same person and inappropriate comments can be quite unpleasant. If someone refuses being your friend, try to keep silent instead of starting to insult that person.
CONSTANT UPDATES
Many people have the annoying habit of constantly publishing information, even if they have nothing to say.
It will be better to keep quiet until you have something interesting to share with others. Hourly status updates and blog posts can rarely be intriguing and attention-grabbing. Some people believe wrongly that constant updates are important. Yet, the publication of irrelevant information can only annoy people in your network.
One of the most important social media usage rules states that you should publish new information only if you have something to say.
HEAVY AUTOMATION
Some social media like Twitter allow the publication of automatic messages. These are generated by online tools and give users the option to post links to a specific sites on a regular basis without personal involvement.
Automatic postings are useful, especially if you are promoting a major news portal or other website that has loads of content. Yet, automation takes away the option to interact with followers and network members. Automatic posting is too distanced and impersonal and should be used sparingly.
POSTING EMBARRASSING PHOTOS OF YOUR FRIENDS
We all have these wild childhood and party photos. They often feature friends in embarrassing situations. One of the worst possible ideas is to post these images on your Facebook or Myspace wall.
Social media encourage the exchange of information. Sharing photo albums and remembering the good old times is fine, as long as the images are harmless.
Before posting any photo consider whether it could embarrass one of your friends. Think whether you would like to be seen in a similar picture. If the answer is negative, refrain from uploading the image.
NEGATIVISM
One of the biggest social media don’ts is negativism. Probably most of us have a friend or two who use Facebook, Twitter and their blog to complain about their job, relationship and life in general.
Refrain from sharing your personal dramas and depression online. Your friends should never be forced to cope with negativism. It is ok to sometimes say that you are lonely or sad and to seek understanding. Yet, using social media as a channel to communicate your bleak thoughts is unacceptable.
Social media should be fun and useful. Any activity that takes away these qualities should be limited. Use social media wisely and consider the needs and interests of the people in your network. As long as you put some thought in the process, you will be able to use social media efficiently.