Apr
28
How honest should you be in Social Networking?
April 28, 2010 | 6 Comments
In today’s world of cyberspace we all connect and make friends across the globe. Connections we probably would never have had before the advent of the Internet. We have all heard of horror stories of people being conned, stalked or even murdered through someone they met on Facebook or some other social network. Personally, I am not sure that the numbers are higher than this happening from face-to-face or personal connection (in other words not via the Internet) – in fact my guess is that it is less (I am not referring to hacking or phishing).
Something I have experienced through using social networks is that people seem more open (or possibly people who use social networks are more open by nature). But, just because someone seems open doesn’t mean it is honest. When we stand face-to-face it is easier to tell from body language if someone is being dishonest, but it is a lot harder from written and even voice communication. So really I think the door is wide open for dishonesty.
So onto my question about how honest you should be. I think, if you want to have a good reputation or business, you should be totally honest. However, I do not think being honest equals revealing all about your personal self. I do understand that there are times where the truth offends and it is better to abstain, but I am not really talking about those types of situations.
Honesty and transparency in the social world are valuable and are an important differentiator. News spreads fast in the social world and we have seen a number of gaffes cost large companies millions. In the social world customers talk back louder than ever with far more extensive consequences.
I believe that people or businesses who are dishonest will be caught out eventually (well most). They will not be able to deliver on their promises or provide the service they claim. And the effect will be like wildfire. I don’t think dishonesty is worth the risk and consequence.
How honest do you think we should be?
No related posts.
6 Comments so far
Aqua Pebble Feed
LinkedIn
If you want to see my LinkedIn profile, click on this button:
Thanks Alaina! Glad you enjoyed my post.
Wow brilliant short post.
12dietboost & Liquid diet user gettotogether @ Breezy Point? iam new in town!
i have liked checking it out. big thanks you for the useful & detailed posts. l will b subscribing 2 your RSS feed.
Thanks Eric that is an intriguing read. I really hope we don’t end up a Solaria and still have face-to-face interaction in the far future.
Tola also an interesting read and I think that you are right that some may use the Internet like a mask. I have met some people that are the same as what they portray online, saying that — don’t we all wear a mask in life to some extent?
Interesting article and question. Funny enough I actually believe most people online aren’t really as friendly as they come out. This article kind of confirms it http://nathanhangen.com/blog/introverts/
I think a lot of people use the cover of the Internet to show what they are not. That doesn’t mean they do it in a bad way but it can be done. Like you said, when it comes to social networking, I believe you should only say what you want people to know. The rest can be kept to yourself.
Lee-Ann. An interesting article — thanks for sharing it. You touch on a topic which has been intriguing me for some time — what I call the Digital Trust Factor. I totally agree with you that being honest is the only way to fly (the truth will out, as Old Bill said), and also that to be honest doesn’t mean throwing your kimono open to the masses. This is especially true if you working in the b2b space, as here your identity and personality are to some extent shielded by the company.
For those who would like to know more about the digital trust factor, my post is called, “The Evolution of our Digital Senses” and can be found here: http://www.inbound-marketing-automation.ca/blog/2009/11/24/the-evolution-of-our-digital-senses/
In today world we are faicing two type of social networking site one is that where people comes around the world to whom we dont know about them( I am not talking about those people who are friend with us or who we really know them) and use that site for only friendship and gossip(and you can say most of them using fake identity) And other part of social networking sites using by those people who are engaging in business and professional work and here they are honest with there job and its neccessary for them to be honest with there identity.Because they are deliver his/her business.
And you are right on this issue and nowadays social networking site is biggest platform of communication.And we need to transperency with them because they creating marketing for you.
and really good post.
Thank you