Social Media Etiquette

Fans cancel celebrities, employees face disciplinary hearings, and entrepreneurs lose their trading licenses, all because of social media posts. Managing director of Open Circle Solutions Anton Koekemoer’s here to help you avoid landing in hot water.

- Thobeka Phanyeko

With the amount of time we’re spending online due to the lockdown, we might find ourselves browsing mindlessly through our social media feeds as we try to navigate these uncertain times. Anton Koekemoer says that without being able to see co-workers, friends and family in person, many people are using social media as a way to stay connected. “A constant stream of updates, fake news and conspiracy theories has caused a growing sense of panic, confusion and frustration,” he says. “Many people are using social media to stay informed and to voice their feelings (whether positive or negative).” Consider his responses to these questions before you post your next status on social media.

G: What measures can we take to self-regulate?

Anton Koekemoer: The most important thing is, ironically, one of the hardest to do. Check your sources before you post anything. Even before the lockdown, people were quick to share information they came across online without stopping to check whether it was true. Emotions play a role in social media because people tend to react before they think. Typically, they scan headlines without clicking through to the content that’s been shared. Stopping to check sources is the best way to self-regulate. Setting aside time to log on to social media, rather than staying on it all day, is also important, as is turning off push notifications. Thinking before you comment is another vital step.

G: As an employee or person of influence, what should you consider before posting or responding to comments online?