Staying safe using social software
- 'Safety' versus 'Security'
- The benefits of having an open environment
- Tips for safer participation
- A note about spam
'Safety' versus 'Security'
Unlike corporate web environments (such as the one used at UniSA), social software such as blogs and wikis can be open, easily accessed and shared.
Although you can choose to create a 'closed' environment (only some identified people have the right to edit and/or view information), the benefits of keeping it open need to weighed against costs. Costs can include the time in setting up access and permissions; constant maintenance of access and permissions and locking out people who might be able to add different perspectives or value to your project.
The benefits of having an open environment
An 'open' (as opposed to a 'closed') environment can provide any of the following benefits including:
- increased range of feedback on your work
- ease of collaborative authoring
- family can see your university work
- future employers can see your university work.
Tips for safer participation
With this ease of sharing, comes certain risks. These risks can be minimised if you follow a few simple rules of conduct, which may not keep your blog or wiki entirely 'secure', but can enhance safety.
- Using a social space requires the same sense of ethics and behaviour as in any other environment.
- Remember you are legally accountable for anything you write or publish - and this includes online.
- Be aware of copyright implications - it is a complex area but often it's good to get permission from websites to which you link.
- companies thinking of employing students/graduates are likely to search for you online to check your credentials. What you produce today can shape an opinion of you tomorrow (when you go for a job).
- If you are doing an industry placement, make sure you check first how you can use information online. Some companies are very insular about sharing intellectual property. In addition, social software (such as blogs and wikis) while used widely, are not used by everyone. The implications of publishing online may need to be explained to your placement manager.
- If you chose to use a public space to write, decide if your space is for business or reflection and consider who your audience will be. Generally, employers (and lecturers) prefer you to err on the side of 'good grammar' rather than use SMS speak. Remember, your site will probably form part of your assessment so being scholarly or business-like in your approach will help.
- Consider very carefully who you should invite into your space.
- The use of nicknames is useful if you want to maintain anonymity, but if you are using a blog (for example) to promote your own credentials, then consider using your real name.
- Maintenance is important because inaccurate and out-of-date information reflects on your administrative skills and might not form the most accurate impression of you.
- Setting security on your blog or wiki might be a requirement of an assessment task or something which is desired. However, the real benefits of social software are their ease of distribution and their 'marketing' value. (This is somewhat different for 'reflective writing' which can be more sensitive or personal).
A note about spam
Spam is unwanted or unsolicited posting which at best is a nuisance and at worst can be malicious or contain viruses.
Reputable social software products (such as Google Blogger) are pretty good at screening out spam. If your blog is open access, then it is a good idea to enable 'moderate comments' so that every time something is posted, you will an email which enables you to accept or reject a comment.