Social Media Ethical Issues: Role of a Librarian

     Social media is simply defined in this 2013 article by J. Wasike as "an instrument of communication but with a social aspect to it." Included in the list of examples of social media are the websites YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, blogs, wikis, and MySpace. The prevalent use of social media have given rise to ethical concerns such as those that include identity, privacy, surveillance, friending, and user exploitation--"users are lulled into a false sense of security by the web sites who seek to profit from their information."
     J. Wasike pointed out that, as the modern library embraced Library 2.0 "making the library's virtual and physical spaces more interactive, collaborative, and driven by user needs," the librarian's role is expanded to include the knowledge and ability to use social media. Beyond being aware of the basic features of these technologies, librarians must "engage in discussions about the consequences of social media ethical issues," and be able to educate library users on social media and related ethical issues.

Three Points

     1. Deleting it does not mean it is gone...forever.

     2. Ethical concerns in using social media.

     3. Librarians are not to sit back and relax.

Deleting it does not mean it is gone...forever.

     One of the things that was mentioned in the article was the fact that it is extremely difficult to be sure that information is permanently deleted and equally impossible to ascertain that information is not shared or copied. Deleting or deactivating personal accounts in the social media sites is especially troublesome as the person does not have a hold on the information that has been shared, distributed or copied. This is a major issue that librarians must be able to express concern in to be able to educate and advocate for a more ethical use of social media technologies.

Information in/and social media.

     J. Wasike pointed out that "with ready access to social media, many users tend to focus on quick retrieval and do not always understand the importance of evaluation and maximization of information contained therein." The librarian's role therefore becomes a necessity as there is a need to educate library users on how to evaluate information and information sources. It is the librarian who is best suited for this role as he is sure to be trained in information and media literacy.

Librarians are not to sit back and relax. 

     More than manning the physical librarian's desk, a librarian need to ask himself "How can I provide the best and fairest balance between social media access and protection?" Librarians need to engage in the discussions for a more ethical use of social media technologies. More than being aware of the basic ins and outs of social media usage, the librarians need to"make decisions with the objective of helping all library users develop their sense of ethics and then to translate this reflection to action."

Implication

     The academic library I am in right now is not actively engaged in the discussions on ethical issues in social media. In the first place it is not actively using social media technologies. I have only started to realize that the social media is a great tool for the library, through the librarian, in order to effectively and efficiently reach out and provide service to its primary clientele. However, this does not excuse me from the fact that I need to educate myself in order to improve myself professionally, in effect improving the library I am serving in.

     "How can I provide the best and fairest balance between social media access and protection?" is the best question that a librarian can ask himself to be able to effectively serve the library users of today. Engage. Advocate. Educate. The librarian can not afford to sit back and relax. He needs to be at the forefront knowing that he is in the best possible position to advocate and educate library users on ethical issues connected to the use of social media.

Reference

Wasike, J. (2013). Social media ethical issues: role of a librarian. Library Hi Tech News, 1, 8-16. 

     doi: 10/1108/07419051311320922

The Library Media Specialist's Role in Teaching Online Safety

     Students are are exposed to online risks such as risks towards their own personal safety, identity safety, and security of future opportunities as well as cyberbullying.  The thesis of the article is that the library media specialist (LMS) must be the leader in teaching online safety to students and teachers since they are the ones trained on information literacy and other issues. The Children's Internet Protection Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act are two laws which require schools to address the issue of internet safety for the students. Online safety could not be addressed by filtering methods but that media literacy (specifically training in online safety) by the school's LMS would effectively address this concern.

Three Points

1. The instructional role of the LMS.
2. More than filtering, online safety.
3. Teach online safety now.

The instructional role of the LMS.
     The library media specialist must play an active role in addressing the issue of online safety. However, C. M. Schmidt pointed out through the article that this role should be more than being active but that the LMS must be in a leading role in addressing this concern. Teaching online safety to students and teachers to insure that they have the needed skills in traversing the online world...perhaps, even before incidents on cyberbullying and other online issues occur in the school community.

More than filtering, online safety.
     Filtering  can adversely affect learning in the school community by unintentionally blocking sites that can be sources of valuable information. The article quoted a 2006 study by Heins, Cho, and Feldman which concluded that "filters erect barriers and taboos rather than educating youth about media literacy..." By placing the responsibility on educated and trained students through media literacy, rather than just restricting or limiting access, LMS can teach online safety with effects that goes beyond the walls of the school.

Teach online safety now.
     Learners of this generation are "digital natives." Media and technology has an active role in their lives as learners. It is prudent, therefore, that LMS, especially those in schools, be active in training young learners about online safety now. As C. M. Schmidt wrote: "If our  professional standards state that students need to be able to use technology responsibly and safely, it is our responsibility to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills necessary to do so."

Implication

     The virtual world abuts the real world of learners now. It is the role not just of library media specialists but also of professional librarians to train and educate learners on online safety. However, it is imperative that librarians see and acknowledge that they are responsible and able to address online risk issues. They are the best persons in the academic community to advocate, train and educate the members of the academic community on online risks and the skills by which online safety can be had.

Reference

Schmidt, C. M. (2009). The library media specialist's role in teaching online safety. Library Media 
     Connection, 10-13.

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