Over the past several years, we have seen a rapid hike in social media users. From posting pictures of newly born babies to sharing what they are eating at the moment, people have taken it to social media big time.
According to Statista, worldwide social media users will reach a whopping 2.67 billion in 2018. With the rise in mobile phone users, this number will keep rising as years go by.
The Good of Social Media
Social media has become so deeply ingrained in daily life that it has become very difficult to imagine one without it.
With social media, our communications have improved drastically. Now, we do not have to wait days for our message to reach our loved ones. With instant messenger, it has now become a matter of milliseconds.
From sharing happy moments through videos to communicating with family and friends who are oceans apart, it has really helped human beings connect in a better way.
For businesses, it has become the ultimate advertising channel. If an employer wins social media, he has nothing to worry about. From conveying the company’s story to creating a loyal fan base, social media can make ordinary businesses extraordinary ones.
Some Examples of Things Going Awry on Social Media
However, the same social media platform has the potential to ruin reputations as well. Here are some examples of social media’s ugly side:
Gilbert Gottfried’s Comedy Going A Bit Too Offensive
After the Tsunami hit Japan, Gilbert Gottfried posted a few jokes on Twitter. One of them was: ‘Japan is really advanced. They don’t go to the beach. The beach comes to them’.
The comedian might have gone too far here. These jokes on social media led to the firing of Gilbert Gottfried.
Words Have Consequences – Especially on Social Media
Just like it can take your business to new heights, it can also bring your reputation some real damage. As a business owner, saying one wrong thing can have a major impact.
The CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch, Mike Jeffries, made a big mistake when he indicated that he only wanted popular and beautiful people to wear his clothes. This statement made its way on social media and started spreading like wildfire. People around the country started throwing the clothes and posting that they would never wear Abercrombie and Fitch’s clothes again.
We at Online Defamation Defenders protect people’s reputation online. Our experts know exactly how to protect clients against defamation on social media platforms. Visit our website for more information about pricing.