Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

How should people manage their social networking profiles and why is it Important
Ryan X. Hinds
International College of the Cayman Islands

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

Abstract
Managing your social networking profiles properly could be the difference in being
successful or being a failure in your respective careers. This research explores how proper social
networking management can be important to one career or day-to-day lives. Information was
collected from scholarly articles as well as multiple other online sources. Proper management
could also determine the outcome of being behind bars or living as a free individual. Social
networking can be very important if youre a student, unemployed, running a business, looking
for a family member or keeping connected to business associates. Managing your social network
is very important in terms of how you portrait your professionalism as a person, regardless of
what your profession may be. It is how you delegate yourself to others in your network and
others who may potentially connect to your network.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

Introduction
This research explores how proper social networking management can be important to
one career or day-to-day lives. Information was collected from scholarly articles as well as
multiple other online sources. Findings from the study illustrate that improper management can
lead to missed job opportunities, prison convictions and or identity theft. With that being said,
the opposite is true. Managing your social networking profiles may help to start and or boost
ones career, as well as protect them from identity theft and other malicious online threats. It is
very important to stay updated and alert in regards to what you choose to share and how you
choose to share it. However, the importance of managing your profile is how well and
appropriate you can distinguish yourself to others through networking. Many people network for
different reason with different key points and demonstrative views. Most believe that managing
is important to stay connected to clients of their business; some believe it is important to show
good morals to a specific target group. Various questions have been raised on the issue of proper
and improper management of social networking profiles. This paper will address some of the
key question surrounding the topic of how should people manage their social networking profile
and why it is important.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

A Review of the Literature

In order to efficiently present the topic of how people should manage their social networking
profiles and why this important, a separation of literature has been created based on the
following questions:
1. How important is ethics in regards to social network management?
2. Can improper social networking management lead to convictions?
3. How can proper social networking management boost your career?
A research has been conducted and it has shown that many articles have been written and
released by scholars as well as newspaper on the topic of proper social networking management
skills. In these articles, authors explain the advantages and disadvantages of managing social
networking profiles. Due to the fact that well known media outlets present these views, I believe
the topic should not be ignored. The purpose of the literature review zeros in on peer reviewed
pieces with the intention to further elaborate on the topic.
How important is ethics in regards to social network management?
Social networking can be used for business ventures; however, it has to be done
professionally and ethically. Professionally because it is a business trying to get vendors by
advertising and getting a public notice; while ethically being competitive against other
competitors within or outside your market. Ethics in regard to social networking management is
extremely important, in how you manage your business. As businesses continue to compete
against each other, Networking can become the form to professionally competitive amongst
another business. While looking at the others networking profile and understanding their

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

knowledge within their firm, businesses can come up with creative advertisement in order to
compete for consumers. Though business do have a social network of other businesses and
people, according to Mel (2009), Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1998) argued that, within a firm, the
network of closely connected personal relationships is the base of a firms social capital and a
critical source of sustainable organizational advantage. (p. 487).
Therefore within a social network, firms or people can have a close ethical relation
helping its capital and advantage as management begins to expand and succeed. By becoming
strong within a social network, management of both people and business will then co-work
together showing their tools and information. They are willing to share while the other party can
observe and adopt better social networking management skills or try thinking ahead of their
competitor. As well as, satisfying their clienteles need while feeding ethically off their
competitors ideas network and maintaining a friendly relation. Many competitors do such
ethical practice regarding to their social network of management. For instance, Apple and
Blackberry are within the same industry and may be amongst each others social network. They
may sometimes take each others ideas, improve it and help it become a better outcome of a
project but in an ethical manner. That being said ethics is very important in regards to social
network management because this can a help a company. In the article, Mel stated that,
Companies in a network can save money on advertising, and vendors would be able to design
and offer better services and products by understanding the needs of the community. (p. 487).
Though social networking can seem to connect it also can be used to ethically compete against
another business wise to promote growth and feedback.
Can improper social networking management lead to conviction?

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

Social networking is done by billions of people around the world through variety of
websites. With that being said its very important as an individual to handle your social
networking profiles with class and dignity. From personal experience, when activating a social
media account, it is told to read and agree with the Terms of Agreement and Policy. When
agreeing gives you access and not agreeing will give you no access to making a profile, majority
people including myself would not take the time in reading the Terms of Agreement or Policy.
Therefore, we automatically agree with the Term and Policy to get right ahead in creating the
social media account. But what we may not know is that social proof can be evidence against us
if using social network in an inappropriate manner.
However, what we should be aware of is that the use of social media can become serious
when used inappropriately and eventually can become a criminal and civil case. Although
accounts mention to be set private and personal information is use for social networking
purposes only, information can still be retrieved by authorities if deemed necessary. For
example, Uncel (2011) stated, today, almost anyone can have access to a users private
thoughts and photographs, including lawyers looking for potentially useful evidence to help
support a claim or defense. (p. 43). Regardless of having a public or private account, if any
illegal criminal behaviour is proven it will and can be banned legally from a social network site.
Such information can then be taken upon as evidence to criminal or civil court depending on how
its proscribed. Anything against the law especially on a social network site, Facebook, where
anyone can view or become friends with a person can help prove how inappropriate can be used
as evidence in the court of law. Pictures or videos brandishing guns, drugs, or sexual activities as
well as speeches made which all result in unlawful acts. Not only does this possibly lead to a
conviction charge, but also can ruin a persons life concerning their repetition and character. So

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

why use social networking as a management of forbidden and dishonest behaviour criminally
and civically? The form of social network is to mange accordingly and reasonably; with the
terms and policy and in an appropriate manner. Social media is a network that is viewable and
can conduct what a person may see through pictures, videos and thoughts you agree to upload to
a public system. In regards to that its very important to manage your social networking in legal
and regulatory guidelines.
How can proper social network in management boost your career?
In forms of a career or employment it is pleasant to keep a proper and professional social
network profile as managing that will help boost your career. As a new technology begin to
develop and more social networking sites come into existence, companies and their Human
Resource begin to select and delve into social network sites such as MySpace, LinkedIn,
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc...
Currently LinkedIn is one of the worlds most used recruiting website/app for major
business entities. The information you add to Linked shows recruiting agents as well as people
connected to your network how valuable you skills and knowledge may be to their organization.
Presenting inaccurate information on Linked can result in failure to boost ones career. The
people you connect with on your profile also say a lot about you. Viewers of your personal
profile may determine if the people you associate with have good credibility in society; or can
find that you can be referred by some of the most important people in today society. In regards
to other social media outlets such as Instagram and Facebook. Employers look to see if your
personality and behaviours portrayed co-inside with the companys culture. Potential employees
are often selected and hired if they maintain an appropriate personality, behaviour, image, and

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

depict proper grammar as well as a suitable train of thought their social network profiles. In a
work environment, it is very important for the human resource to hire someone who has the
skills and who has proper behavioural attitudes to become an effective employee. Firms now
begin to hire through background checks so we should consider social networking sites as a way
to check an interviewee. Behaviour outside the work environment is often evaluated, because it
is the firms image and brand you represent once working under a companys name. Clark and
Roberts (2010) mentioned, SNSs are also serving as an inexpensive and quick source of
background information on job applicants and current employees for employers. (p. 507). Most
often what we post we dont realize that Clarke and Roberts stated that, Depending on how the
SNS works and the privacy restrictions selected, friends of friends, including employers, may
have access to their full profiles. (p. 507).
Technology and Society Topic Exploration
While networking, people should consider how their actions might affect the community
and themselves. The use of the internet and other upgrades in technology urges business and its
employees to indulge in social networking regularly. Reports show that people who do social
networking are at a high risk of experiencing networking misconduct. Workers who spend up to
30% of their work time on social networks may be at fault when ethic and social networking is
concerned. In a research article done by Sharlyn Lauby, titled Ethics and Social Media: where
do you draw the line, gave a detailed insight on global business ethics. Lauby (2012) stated that,
In order to understand any potential connection between ethics and social networks, it only
makes sense to step back and discuss what ethical behavior means. She also mentioned that
Kristen Fyfe who is the senior communications manager at training and development
association (ASTD) in an article stated that Clarity is the most effective element for both ethics

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

and social media policies," Fyfe says. "Companies that have not incorporated behavior
expectations into their employee handbooks should make that a top priority.
Unethical behaviour on social networking sites can lead negative outcomes. One major
outcome in this instance can be the conviction of an individual. In recent time, popular social
media sites come across activities dubbed as challenges, ice-bucket challenge, mannequin
challenge among others, which become worldwide trending topics. In November 2016, the
mannequin challenge where individuals stand still while reenacting an event caused a few
persons to be arrested and charged with others still undergoing investigation. A video clip was
released with a number of young men reenacting a drive-by shooting scene with what appeared
to be illegal firearms. Officers in Alabama then attained a search warrant for the premises seen
in the video and made an arrest where drugs and illegal firearms were also seized. In a report
release by USA Today, Mary Bowerman (2016) stated that, Mannequin challenge depicting a
drive-by shooting led to two arrests in Alabama this week. She went on to say The video,
which was posted on Facebook in early November, showed multiple men pointing guns at each
other in frozen positions as music played in the background. The operation was carried out
5:a.m on the morning of the arrest.
According to Bowerman (2016), Madison County Sheriff's Office Capt. Mike
Salomonsky said the video prompted investigators to begin gathering evidence to secure
a warrant. Salomonsky said officers served the warrant around 5 a.m. on Tuesday and
found two hand guns, a rifle, and a shotgun, along with marijuana and ammunition at the
house in Huntsville, Ala.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

10
Professionalism is highly recommended when you are on social networks. This
could determine the deference between decline and or a boost in your professional career.
Many people may not believe that their hobbies that are being posted on what they think
are their private social network profiles can affect the building of their careers. However,
it has been proven that misconduct on social media platforms can lead to job losses or
discredit someone character. In an online article posted by Allison Doyle gave resources
to help people learn how to use social networking to build their careers.
Doyle (2016) stated that, Social networking can be an integral part of your job
search or career building - if you use it correctly. If you don't, even information
you consider private like a photo posted on Facebook or a random comment on
Twitter could cost you your job and unexpectedly damage your career.
The media is one of the fastest ways for information to reach a wide audience across the
world. When a random person may be forgiving of social network misuse, an employer may not
share the same views. Actions portrayed may not be of the companies values and can possibly
disrupt a work environment. Social events such as office parties or recreational drinking with
colleagues should also be done in a professional manner. Getting drunk at these events can also
have an effect on your career since an office party can be regarded as a work-related event. In an
article done by Dawn Rosenberg Mckay, illustration of where to draw the line while active on
your social networking profiles. According to Mckay (2016), You may think that picture of
you, drunk and incoherent, on Facebook, is funny, but if your boss or prospective boss comes
across it, it could be very embarrassing. Mckay (2016) also explained that, Maintaining a
professional demeanor is imperative whenever you are around those with whom you work.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

11
San Francisco Experience
While on the San Francisco seminar, we had the chance to visit the Silicon Valley area.
Much was not presented which relates to my topic. However, I learnt a few important points
which may help me to have better Social network managing skills. Our trip to the University Of
San Francisco School Of Management, we had the chance to speak with who is the Associate
Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Organization, Leadership and
Communication. He spoke about the communication theory and how to behave as a professional
within an organization. We also had the chance to speak with Joe DeMike who is the Head of
Global Advertising CX Programs at Google Inc. While at the Google headquarters, Mr. DeMike
introduced us to some cutting edge technology. Some of which were previously released and
other that are to be released in the coming years. What I found most interesting about our trip to
Google, was the act that they had created self-driven cars. Throughout the process of being test
driven, the smart car has only been in an accident twice. These accidents were not caused by the
car or the individual in it, but by mistakes made by other motorists on the road. He also
mentioned that Googles search engine is the most used in the world where at least 4 billion
searches are done daily. He explained that people use the engine to search for information on
others as well as if someone posts information on the internet it will always be there. With that
being said, we need to be mindful of the things we share on the internet. When we believe we
can post and then delete, there is always a digital trail where if necessary the information and be
retrieved. On our trip to the University Of San Francisco main campus, we met with Mr.
Muhammad Al-Abdullah who is the assistant professor in Information system. He spoke about
various different technologies and how they have grown over the years. For example, the brand
Kodak, which sold 85% of the entire photo papers worldwide in 1998. He also mentioned that

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

12
Uber who offers one of the largest transport service, and yet they dont own a vehicle. The same
can be said about Airbnb, who rents thousands of homes and villas yearly, but does not own
these properties. Mr. Al-Abdullah also spoke about 3D printing, which has to do with bio
science technology. We spoke about what can be seen as a social constructed phenomenon, with
the use of bit coins. Bit coin is dubbed the new version o money and is being used by many top
organizations and start-up companies.
While in San Francisco, we also had the chance to visit the Chain Enterprise office. One
of the main focuses of Chain Enterprise is to help companies digitize their assets. They are
responsible for the blockchain infrastructure which can be used to secure online data, as well as
transform financial assets. The blockchain secures data that if being tampered with, the entire
chain will be disrupted. This system created by the Chain organization is used to secure digitized
assets, for example, bit coins. At the RocketSpace Stop, we had the privilege to meet with Mark
Weiss who is the Ecosystem General Manager and Ryan lee who is RokectSpace representative.
RocketSpace is a start-up entity who assists other start-up entities to become major business
corporations. They enlightened us about a few of the major companies who they have worked
with as start up companies. Uber which is one of the most profitable taxi service in the world,
worked hand in hand with RocketSpace when they acquired only 4 employees. Not only does
RocketSpace help start-up companies to bring in potential investors, they also lease office spaces
from their building to companies in order to finance their organization. Our service day activity
at the Project Open Hand building was geared towards society rather than technology. Project
Open Hand has been serving people with chronic illnesses for over 30 years in the San Francisco
and Oakland Area. They are a non-profit organization, which works with at least 120 volunteers
daily. The experience was hands on as we volunteered and completed multiple different tasks.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

13
In groups, we worked in the kitchen where meals were prepared and stored to be served to
clients. We also got involved in some cutting of seasonings as well as keeping the kitchen area
clean. In the packaging area, a range of different food products were taken from their bulk
packaging, and placed in to smaller parcels. Clients would then come to the building and collect
these items. After all these items are packaged, they are then stored in freezers at the
recommended temperature to keep the food healthy. The grocery area was where we had the
chance to interact with some of the clients, as we serve the products that have already been
packaged and stored. The trip to the San Francisco Bay Area Council, gave us some insight o the
history of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Bay, Bay Area, was named by the
city of San Francisco and was classified as the metropolitan area of the west coast over a number
of years. Los Angeles then grew at a rapidly Where it eventually got bigger Just after The
Second World War. However, most of the top Multimillion dollar companies were located in San
Francisco at the time. Across from the San Francisco Bay, was the city of Oakland, which had a
vast amount of manufacturing going on. In San Francisco, theses manufacturing companies had
the major headquarters, and in Silicon Valley there was basically nothing in and around the early
years after the Second World War. Drawing closer to the end of our trip to San Fran, we met
with the president and of SB Architect Scott Lee. For the past 50 years SB Architect developed a
worldwide reputation in building state of the art resorts and villas. President Scott Lee told us
about some of the technology they have used to bring their ideas to life when dealing with
clients. A 3D animated fly through is presented using, which was developed by applications
such as sketch up and or riot, gives a prospective client an idea o what the finish product would
look like. Some of SB Architects finest works that can be seen today are the Ritz Carlton

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

14
Residence Rancho Mirage (California), Ancient Sand Golf Resort (El Gouna, Egypt), and the
Kimpton Hotel (Grand Cayman).
Overall, my San Francisco experience was definitely one to remember. I have learnt
about various new technology advancements which may help me to achieve my academic as well
as career goals. In the future, I plan on using the social and ethical knowledge gained. This
should help me to better communicate with colleges as well as be more professional. In recent
times, I have learnt that not everything you do as a hobby should be uploaded on your social
networking profiles. This could lead to embarrassment as well as the termination of a job
contract. There can be various negative outcomes from mismanaging social network profiles.
As we have seen in the paper, a bad social networking management skill not only affects your
professional career. Going forward, I will be attentive with whatever I choose to share while
networking. By doing this not only will I be seen in a good light where employers are
concerned, and I will also have a lower possibility of staying of being a person of interest to the
law. From the text recommend for this Technology and Organizational Behavior seminar, Ive
learnt about applied Research and plan on using this method in my future studies. According to
Easton (2015) explained, Applied research is more mission oriented. A great many of the
scientists who work for government and industry are applied researchers. They seek answers to
specific problems. (p. 19).

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

15
Limitations
During the time away on our trip, some of the goals I had set where not fulfilled. The
information shared was limited as it relates to the topic of this paper. Other limitations were the
failure to get an interview from someone in the field surrounding my topic. In the future, I plan
on doing a research on the area as well as the people we are schedule to meet; therefore, I can
better choose a topic accordingly. Being proactive will also be an important part of my future
endeavors. Hence the job can be done as early as possible, and also find time to complete work
from other courses. Time was also a major factor in getting each activity completed. Though
there were some learning setbacks, the limitations were few. Most of what was needed to be
done was achieved.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

16
Conclusively, I believe networks are a social community that gathers family, friends, and
co-workers & peers together, through social media. I believe people should manage their
network profile by being professional and respectable. This will draw more people to become
friends of interest towards you and can also cause clientele and expansion of a bigger network.
By managing your social network profile will attract people you may know and people you dont
know resulting into a daily increasing in network. Keeping your profile information strictly
about you and updating frequently can show how great your profile can be. Updating profiles
frequently by checking updates, helps you to stay modernized. Checking your notification,
messages, request, and calendar are all ways to stayed up to date.
By keeping your network up to date can showing how and what it is about you that can
be shown through your network to your peers, that will express what is truly unique about
yourself, or what you have in common with your network. I also believe it is very important to
manage your network responsibly. Managing with precaution can also protect your identity from
hackers.

Running head: HOW SHOULD PEOPLE MANAGE THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKING

17
Reference
Bowerman, M. (2016). Drive-by shooting mannequin challenge leads to arrests. Retrieved from
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/07/drive--shooting-mannequinchallenge-leads-arrests/95084110/
Clark, L. A. & Roberts, S. J. (2010). Employer's Use of Social Networking Sites: A Socially
Irresponsible Practice. (Abstract). 507-525
Doyle, A. (2016). How to use social networking to boost your career? Retrieved from
https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-use-social-networking-to-boost-your-career-2062607
Easton, T. A. (2015). Taking Sides, Science Technology and Society. McGraw-Hill. 19
Lauby, S. (2012). Ethics and Social Media: Where Should You Draw The Line? Retrieved from
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/ethics-and-socialmedia-where-should-you-draw-the-line/?linknav=us-of-topics-findmore-dr.patriciaj.harnedarticle
Mel, D. (2009). The Practice of Networking: An Ethical Approach. (Abstract). 483-503
Mckay, D. R. (2016). Bad Behavior That Can Make You Lose Your Job. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalance.com/bad-behavior-that-can-make-you-lose-your-job-526262
Uncel, M. (2011). Facebook is now Friends with the Court": Current Federal Rules and social
Media evidence. (Abstract). Jurimetrics Journal 43-69