Social Media Public Service Announcement
We enjoy social media tools like Facebook and Instagram because of the incredible opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences with those around us. Conversely, we indulge vicariously in the thoughts and experiences of others. Unfortunately, social media also provides a forum for those with an impure motivation.
Because enrollment in social media tools is so easily manipulated, a person can create an account falsely to harass, haze, intimidate, threaten, embarrass or bully someone in relative anonymity. Still others use social media in these ways without using a false façade. We have seen examples of this unfortunate behavior at MU this fall. As a result, we offer the following advice:
- Do not accept friendships, connections, or links to people you don’t know
- Carefully document abusive electronic behavior using screen shots or other means to demonstrate the abuse
- Report cases of social media abuse to:
- The social media site used
- University Safety
- A faculty member
- A cabinet member, assistant vice president, or dean
- Report It! site
At MU we value the infinite worth of every individual. To that end we challenge you to respect others and expect respect in return. Please report social media abuse cases. While difficult to succeed, if brought to the attention of MU administrators, we investigate and prosecute these cases according to the provisions of the MU Source (http://www.manchester.edu/docs/default-source/default-document-library/thesource.pdf?sfvrsn=2 pages 43 – 45, 49 – 52).