Getting the lowdown on social media
It was a full house at Solid Ground Church last week as top social media law expert, Emma Sadleir, addressed parents and students
‘A LOT of learners’ self-worth is dependent on who follows them on social media. Privacy settings are however vital.’
This is according to top social media law expert, Emma Sadleir, who addressed dozens of parents, avid online enthusiasts and learners on Thursday and Friday at Solid Ground Church.
She discussed the aspect of children on social media and privacy.
‘The more you share about your children (online) the less privacy you have and South Africa is far behind in this aspect.
‘Although privacy settings are important online, don’t think that everything is private – not in the digital sphere that is,’ she said.
Felixton College and Solid Ground Church hosted Sadleir, who on Friday addressed some 470 pupils from various schools in the area.
Sadleir is known as the anchor on the M-Net Oscar Pistorius trial broadcasts, hosting a programme discussing social media, the law and court proceedings.
She was also retained as a legal commentator for the BBC (both radio and television) for closing argument, verdict and sentencing of the Pistorius trial.
Her book, ‘Don’t Film Yourself Having Sex… And Other Legal Advice For The Age of Social Media,’ has been described as ‘the most important textbook’ a university student will buy.
Going beyond the aspects of privacy, Sadleir also discussed professionalism on social media platforms.
‘Your online CV is far more important than your written CV; be careful how and what you use social media for.
‘Looking after your digital footprint, what you post online, as well as your digital shadow, what others post of you, is critical.
‘Three things happen when you ‘joke’ online, you lose context, you lose tone and you lose control of audience.
‘If you have the ability to stop something controversial from being published and you don’t, you are responsible for it and at the same time, when you share controversial content online you need to dissociate yourself from it.’
PHOTO: Orrin Singh
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