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• Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space – What are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?

Engaging with the public through media platforms offers numerous benefits, including communicating with others from all over the globe, building relationships, and fostering meaningful conversations with like-minded individuals. However, there is always a risk when putting personal information, opinions or conversations in online spaces. The risk varies between individuals, as someone who is looking for a job opportunity may want to have a well-portrayed version of themselves online. This is also the case for public figures or person in a position of trust, this can be someone who many look up to or someone where their public image is important for their career, such as educators, lawyers and government officials. One of the risks could be that because they are in the public eye, those who disagree with how they present themselves publicly can choose to attack them. Bullying increases when you are able to say what you want through a screen, as no one may know who you are. A sense of anonymity can increase your ability to share your opinion and hate towards someone or something fully. Not only do public figures receive more hate, which can be detrimental to their well-being, but they are also at a heightened risk of their reputation being affected by their media platforms. Using social media means you have more ability to express your self and share your thoughts with people around the world, this also means everything you have ever posted can not only be seen by millions of people but things you said in the past can return, which can be very damaging to your reputation. 

• How to address negative replies and critiques that reflect your personal values and employer’s social media policy?

The negative side of using social media is the criticism, bullying and overall negative comments that can occur. As I mentioned previously this is one thing that you are unable to avoid when using social media as anonymity can cause people to express their fullest opinion that they would never say to your face. Although it is difficult to handle these kinds of situations, as I’ve learned through years of working in customer service positions, being as calm as possible will always help you out in the long run. Although the comments might come with a lot of anger or negativity, it is important not to let that reflect in your response. Although these words may be hurtful, you must take the high road and stay professional and reasonable in your response. One way of handling these kinds of situations is to not acknowledge them at all. Many people believe by acknowledging negative comments you are making them feel heard meaning they may continue to do so on yours on others people page. If you do choose to respond, show that you understand their opinions and respect it as well as provide some clarity if there is something you think was interpreted differently, as well as take responsibility for a mistake you may have made. You don’t want to continue the back and forth therefore do your best to end the comments as quickly as possible to encourage it to be in a private manner as others seeing negative comments may change their view of you as well. 

• What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Media literacy is a vital tool in the digital age, particularly when engaging with public media platforms and having a PLN that values media literacy can offer many benefits. When using social media platforms, it is easy to get swept up by misinformation. As we have learned in this course, fake news is becoming increasingly more popular. Therefore, being media literate allows you to be aware of when something may be accurate and then have the skills and tools needed to identify misinformation. This not only allows you to be more informed about global issues but also to help others understand what may be real and what is fake. By having a media literate PLN you are able to engage with others to create meaningful and resourceful discussions that increase you knowledge and learning, not just for you but everyone in the group. Overall, media literacy allows you to build your critical thinking skills. Using public media means you are constantly on alert for misinformation, credible sources and having the ability to navigate through all information spread on public media. 

Establishing a Personal Learning Network (PLN) is crucial in building an online network. Social media platforms offer great accessibility to opportunities to connect professionally, collaborate and learn from others in your field or another field. Actively engaging with others’ content and profiles can help you expand your knowledge on various topics. These platforms allow professionals to form connections with others worldwide, allowing us to learn from like-minded people. 

You can use your PLN for personal and professional purposes by sharing your personality online while promoting yourself professionally. Your PLN should reflect not only your professional accomplishments but also your interests and hobbies. It is essential to maintain a positive and professional presence online when engaging in conversations, you can learn new skills and learn from others’ insights, creating mutual learning opportunities. You can engage with others by asking questions or commenting encouragingly on their post. You may also join relevant groups or chats where you can share your insights and learn from others. By creating a well-rounded and diverse PLN, you are creating an inclusive community online. Social media platforms allow for inclusivity as they are accessible to a vast majority of people, all of whom have different backgrounds and expertise. This is different than traditional networking as many times, it requires you to be at the same event or conference to meet certain people. Not only does social media foster new knowledge and skills, but it also allows for a wide range of perspectives and ideas to be shared. Social media has broken down the barriers and allowed there to be more inclusion when networking with others, fostering continuous learning, growth and innovation.

I would create a PLN using a professional platform such as LinkedIn. Firstly, I would add my experience, skills and interests to my profile to attract connections with others with similar interests or careers. I would ensure my profile is complete, professional and aligned with my personality. I would then browse others’ profiles and organizations I align with to find those I can connect with and learn from. I can also use the platform to promote myself when finding jobs. From there, I can network and explore opportunities that I find helpful, such as events, workshops, or webinars. 

What does my digital Identity look like?

Social media has a significant impact on how we interact with one another, and it is shaping how we present ourselves to others. Every click, comment, and post we make impacts how people see us, as it reflects our digital identity. Digital identity is the online presence we create from all our activity and interactions in online social spaces such as social media platforms. How we portray ourselves through our digital identity is how others perceive us, so we must be careful and aware of how much information we share about ourselves and our opinions on media applications. Anything we say or do that is posted on these platforms can come back to us in the future.

Currently, I do not have a professional online presence, such as a LinkedIn account or any other platform used for professional purposes. However, I plan to work on creating a professional presence in the upcoming years, as it is essential to portray myself in a certain way to build a professional reputation. Tools such as LinkedIn can help me showcase my skills, experience, and achievements, allowing potential employers or collaborators to see a resume of what I have accomplished.

At the moment, my primary forms of social media are for personal purposes. I use applications like Instagram and Snapchat, but I keep my accounts private and only allow those I know or know of to follow me, restricting access to potential future employers. This is important because it allows me to express myself, but if I choose to later on, I can delete this content and know it will not affect my professional life. In these times, it is challenging to do this, so I am careful about the content I post.

Regarding my digital footprint, I choose not to leave hateful comments or reviews anywhere, as these can come back to me in the future. By doing so, I can create a cohesive and positive digital identity that is authentic and reflects who I am with a professional approach.

• What does it mean to network using social media?

Networking on social media involves connecting and interacting with others on various platforms to build professional or personal relationships. Users can connect through messages and engage with people’s content. Connecting and following people in your field not only expands your outlook but also creates chances to meet new individuals within your industry of interest. Social media is a vital tool for communicating with others and contributing to the growth of your social or professional circles. It is a way of using online platforms to connect, talk, and collaborate with others for personal relationships, professional development, or business opportunities.

• How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

There are many reasons why individuals choose to participate in networked publics. It can be used for professional networking, as it allows them to have a space to connect with others in their field, seek new job opportunities or connect with possible clients. Public networking can also be used as a form of self-expression; social media allows people to use a platform to express themselves through their creativity. Networking publicly also provides many a platform to connect with friends and family. 

• What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

Communicating in public, particularly in online or networked settings, has both risks and rewards. When using public platforms, you risk privacy concerns, as some may share personal information on these platforms. We also must keep our digital footprints in mind, as this may impact our future. Some of the rewards are obviously networking and building relationships. We also have the ability to share and learn from others, especially those in our field of interest.