Don't want Problems?? Don't Engage

 Last week, I discussed algorithms and how they might need to be corrected on Facebook. I live on Facebook 24/7. I talked about the funny word Homophilly. I know tons about being connected on social media. Facebook is how I keep up with running and my hobbies. I have my best friends on Facebook, and the connection is real. People check on me, and I check on others all the time. It's a connected circle, and I like it. 

    If I get blocked, I wonder how I offended anyone, considering I live with a rather unworldly attitude. Try turning off all of your iPhone notifications, except the obvious: Amazon and deliveries, and see how you turn out. There is absolutely no way I can offend anyone, bore them maybe. So why do I have 2 lost friends? It's probably because they want to avoid seeing posts on running. The connection on Facebook is vital to me. I thrive on the relationship. 

Algorithms and cognitive bias: Algorithms, though, can either intensify homophily or destroy it. When algorithms destroy homophily, problems can occur. The Facebook algorithms wantto be exact. Often, they are. But algorithms like to manipulate people. Like the rock painting group I mentioned last week, I now receive suggested groups in topics I could care less about. This is when the algorithms fail. 

  

    A lot of algorithms are based on AI. AI isn't perfect, but it's close. AI generally yields correct predictions with what are termed incentives. This means varying rewards with an actual positive outcome. At times, there's influence with homophilly (the rock painting group) but sometimes, a re-examination needs to occur. (Fogliato 2002) Sometimes, the wrong algorithm can result in online bullying. Often, it's the fact that the person posting has no idea what they are posting about. They are in the wrong group of people.

Constructive steps people can take on social media to prevent potential risks against cyberbullying by refraining and not getting involved. Search for the answer instead of posting a question. The percentage of victims of cyberbullying usually is girls aged 12-15.(Marengo M, Borracino A, Charrier L, Berchialla P, Dalmasso P, Caputo M, Lemma P, 2021) I hope the parents know what the younger girls are posting on Facebook. That is uncool, okay, so I'm uncool. But this would solve a problem.

    Another fact about cyberbullying is that it can happen to anyone at any time. Posts can be reported, though Facebook doesn't do the best about accounts that bully. The best idea for protection is not to engage. No matter what is known as a fact, assume it's not. And avoidance. Many people aren't open-minded and don't understand that others have different opinions. The way out of this is not to engage in the first place. People can be blocked, but cyberbullying damage can last forever.

Fogliato, R., Fazelpour, S., Gupta, S., Lipton, Z., & Danks, D. (2022). Homophily and Incentive Effects in Use of Algorithms. Cornell University Library, arXiv.org.

Marengo M, Borracino A, Charrier L, Berchialla P, Dalmasso P, Caputo M, Lemma P. (2021, October). Cyberbullying and problematic social media use: an insight into the positive role of social support in adolescents—data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in Italy. https://www-sciencedirect-com.library.capella.edu/science/article/pii/S0033350621003371?via%3Dihub

The picture is a screenshot from my iPhone. 

Rock Painting - Hominy (oops that’s Homophily)

  Social Media Connectedness:  

   When I started this assignment, I read homophily as hominy then homily. I promise I won’t discuss hominy in this post.  I like to compare being on Facebook or other social media to being in a race. I know hundreds of people in the above picture. It is from the Kansas City Garmin half marathon this year, and I took the picture as I was getting in line for the start. It’s a demonstration of homophily, as we are there because of one connected reason. One related interest is running. Running is as social as it is physical.

   I use social media to keep up with my running friends, their races, their lives.

  Though I love my running friends on social media, I've accumulated friends that aren't runners on Facebook.

       I've accumulated social skills beyond anything I ever expected. The Centers for Disease Control defines social connectedness as the degree to which people have desired quality and diverse relationships that are caring and valued. Social connectedness is dependent on a person's mental health.

    Social connectedness is essential for community relationships. It helps with coping and also helps with stress. Social connectedness helps communities thrive and stay resilient. ("How does social connectedness affect health?," 2023)

   It has already been determined that social connectedness is needed. A recent Gallup article goes on to ask how people are connecting. Through phone calls? Social media or texting? People said they use social media primarily to connect with others at least once a week. The study found that the people who connected at least once weekly were likelier to interact in person frequently. (Gallup, 2022)

   Homophily:

   

     This connection, through similar interests, returns to the discussion of homophily. It is used as an organizational concept. Sharing values causes people to connect as well as have love for the same topics. Like groups on Facebook, for example, rock painting. Another person enjoys rock painting and joins a large group with over 10,000 people who paint rocks.       

   Facebook has a way of creating algorithms. This is a way for social network groups to connect as long as the algorithms are correct. Physical activities have now evolved to virtual or internet meetings. Facebook and even X, formerly known as Twitter, offer recommendations due to these algorithms. The suggestions are only sometimes on point. The problem with algorithms is computing differences. Calculations of connections in social media aren’t always the correct calculations to lead to the right group. A study in CrossMark proved that the algorithms are deficient. (Zang, 2017) The algorithm data leads to a lack of trust. Suggestions seem to be off-target. The study suggested users are influenced by friends. The result is a small amount of data gathered by social networks; therefore, the algorithms are distrusted.

 References 

Gallup. (2022, October 25). How connected do people feel in the age of social media? Gallup.com. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/403658/connected-people-feel-age-social-media.aspx

How does social connectedness affect health? (2023, May 9). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-connectedness/affect-health.htm#:~:text=Social%20connectedness%20influences%20our%20minds,%2C%20and%20improved%20well%2Dbeing.com

All pictures are owned by me and taken in various locations.

What Can You Do in 13 Seconds

8 Seconds! The attention to social media is only eight seconds. I watch a lot of football (Go Chiefs). My favorite line while watching games is, "There are only 8 seconds left; they can't score." But I remember the day it happened. Patrick Mahomes threw a winning touchdown within 13 seconds. I've seen things happen in eight seconds as well. It certainly captured my attention and held my attention for eight seconds. I was on the edge of my seat.

      I think about social media posts. I've already made one. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! My GIF image was hilarious. It said, "Happy Thanksgiving, from Craig. " I have no idea who Craig is. I'm sure it sparked attention. I imagine it took about eight seconds to read it and a few more seconds to realize it said, "From Craig."

     Influencing social media is essential to me because I will start working as an advocate for special needs kits, and tutoring. Those eight seconds are worth my time. The challenges I have are to constantly keep it happy and motivating and allow readers to see the big picture. If I do this continuously, then people will take notice. You have to mindfully post timely, but not too many. You have to keep the reader in mind. It's actually part of marketing. According to Sprout Social, Social media marketing uses Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) to promote yourself or your brand. ("Social media marketing: What it is and how to build your strategy," 2023) 

    The article goes on to strategize social media marketing and to create a plan. It suggests setting goals and using specific steps for success. It also requires a creative mind and time.

     Maintaining engagement in social media requires continuing to use brand awareness. I should mention Instagram here as well. Myself, I neglect Instagram. However, the article on Sprout Social says 68% of consumers follow a product line on social media to stay updated on the products. 

    The reason why a consumer continues to follow a brand are several reasons: User testimonials, information on how the product is sourced, and transparency.

     These are great strategies that companies need to keep in mind when promoting on social media. It really is worth the time to learn about social media marketing before starting a business.

 1. Social media marketing: What it is and how to build your strategy. (2023, October 4). Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-marketing-strategy/