In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate, share information, and stay updated on the latest trends. From the vibrant threads of Twitter to the visually appealing world of Instagram, these platforms have undoubtedly become an integral part of our lives. However, while we immerse ourselves in the vast online universe, it is all too easy to overlook the ethical implications that underlie our activities as social media users.
In this digital age, where convenience and instant gratification reign supreme, we often forget the ethical issues that lurk behind the veil of cyberspace. As we race to garner likes and followers, engage in online debates, or simply share moments of our daily lives, it is crucial to pause and reflect on the unintended consequences of our actions. By examining our collective apathy towards these ethical concerns, we can shed light on the pressing need for awareness and responsible digital citizenship.
The Privacy Paradox
By definition, this term refers to how “internet users have a tendency towards privacy-compromising behavior online which eventually results in a dichotomy between privacy attitudes and actual behavior (Acquisti, 2004, Barnes, 2006)”.
Despite attempts to protect their data (e.g. clearing cookies, incognito mode), as many as 88% of Gen Z are surprisingly willing to share data and have less privacy in exchange for improved online experiences (sharing personal data for an improved algorithm).
This paradox became prominent due to these 3 main factors:
- Personalization outweighs privacy
56% of Gen Z say that “personally interesting or relevant topics” is their primary reason for liking social media content.
- Limited concerns on data policies
Majority of internet users chose “did not know” or selected the incorrect answer when tested on internet policies.
- Threats aren’t salient
Other than obvious data breaches such as credit card info or identity theft, we often overlook implications of digital footprint in the future.
Though it seems subtle and minuscule, it is crucial that we review and recheck our privacy settings for all of our social media accounts. Not to be paranoid, but to know your rights as a part of upholding ethics.
Online Disinhibition
The term “Online Disinhibition” has been mentioned in many social media discourses in recent years.
It is derived from the psychological term “Behavioral Disinhibition”, which refers to a pattern of antisocial, impulsive, norm-violating, sensation-seeking, and externalizing tendencies and problems (Iacono et al., 1999).
This behavior, combined with the intense use of social media, has caused a phenomenon which can be defined by the following characteristics:
- Dissociative Anonymity
An individual perceives that they can hide or change their true identity in the online environment.
- Invisibility
An individual perceives that they are not physically seen by others in the online environment.
- Asynchronicity
An individual perceives that the mode of communication enables delayed responses in the online environment.
- Solipsistic Introjection
An individual perceives a voice or an image of the other person(s) in their mind in online communication.
- Dissociative Imagination
An individual perceives the online environment as an imaginary world that has no connection to reality.
- Minimization of Authority
An individual perceives the absent or diminishing influence of real life authorities in the online environment.
Before getting too deep into the internet and losing your sense of morals, the traits—which were put together by Cheung et al. in 2016, could be your guidance as to not step over the line.
Plagiarism epidemic
It might be seen as the ‘most harmless’ out of the common ethical problems on social media. Though it might not directly hurt anyone physically or psychologically, it is still a form of intellectual theft which disadvantages not only the original creators but also the perpetrators.
The trending topic surrounding plagiarism usually lies around the fact that it’s “difficult to determine” whether something is appropriately copyrighted or not.
Here are a few cases of social media plagiarism you need to pay attention to:
- Video Content
Sharing videos or slideshow presentations of copyrighted images while stating that they are yours. Example: A Twitter user re-uploads another creator’s tutorial video, editing out the original creator’s watermark and taking credit for the content.
- Audio Snippets
The use of a copyrighted audio in part or as a whole, for purposes not in permission from the original creator. Example: A big consumer brand uses a nationally-charting song as a background for one of their commercials without paying royalty to the original creator.
- Reposting with Editing
A simple act of reposting, retweeting, or reblogging isn’t considered plagiarism. It’s when you alter the media itself with editing, and claim it as your own. Example: A TikTok-er summarizes a 10-minute video form a YouTuber and cuts it down to a 1-minute TikTok Video, without giving credit for the original poster.
- File Sharing
It can include books, documents, movies, music, academic papers, or any other kind of intellectual property that is shared illegally. Example: A blogger compiles downloaded PDFs of e-books they have previously purchased into a link posted on their page, which can be accessed for free.
Within the past few weeks, our social media feeds have been exceptionally flooded with information from all different POVs.
Stay alert and keep your ethics in tact as you engage in conversations with others online.
See you next Monday for more valuable insights!
Reference:
Oliverwymanforum. “How Gen Z Uses Social Media Is Causing A Data Privacy Paradox“
Core. “Online Disinhibition: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Relation to Aggressive, Behaviors“
Fixgerald. “Plagiarism on Social Media: How to Detect and Avoid It“
