Social Media Myths Week – Myth 5: The Fatal Flaw
Welcome to the last installation of Social Media Week! Hope you’ve enjoyed this look at common misconceptions about social media. Today’s myth is similar to when your childhood friend claims, in doomsday tones, that if you swallow your gum, it will take seven years to digest…the dreaded Myth of the Fatal Flaw.
The myth goes something like this: the Internet is forever! Google is king, and can ferret out every word I’ve ever said and every action I’ve ever taken! Hence, there is no point in engaging in social media, because it puts me at too much risk for permanent reputation damage and exposure.
Not so. True, consciousness of the fact that social media is sticky and searchable is absolutely key if you’re going to be blogging, responding, and conversing with others. But blame the user, not the medium, for imprudent use of social tools. Having a Facebook account or a Twitter handle isn’t carte blanche to insult, flame, and badmouth everyone in the world. What it is (and this is way more scary) is a challenge to be authentic and transparent, to balance what you make public with what you choose to keep private, to choose your words carefully and well.
The world of social media can seem like a jungle full of screeching baboons and lurking hyenas (wait, do hyenas live in the jungle? Oh well, let’s continue with that simile anyway.) But being in the jungle doesn’t mean you can’t be savvy…or have fun! To stress over every word because you know that users travel in packs and express their opinions loudly and often is to lose the entire point. Just as it’s not here to save the day, social media isn’t here to expose your every flaw. And you’ll be amazed again and again by the generosity and grace offered by your fellow travelers…if you’re willing to fess up to your mistakes, own your words, and take responsibility for your actions.
Myth busted: savvy self-expression is the name of the game…and mistakes happen. Free-wheeling, fast-moving social tools are what you make of them…and they’re just begging to help you test, play, make mistakes, evolve, and be real. – Erin
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