The rapid growth of users to the social media platforms has exploded in recent years. It’s now acceptable for mobile phones to accompany us everywhere – and I mean everywhere!
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard people clearly on their mobiles in toilet cubicles! Hygenic? Courteous to the caller? If it’s private, why not go outside the building?
How rude the shoppers refusing to hang up their call whilst trying to pack their shopping, pay the cashier whilst balancing their mobile under their chin!
Is this civilised communication?
Like a free coffee whilst shopping in some chains, it seems something we never thought we’d need, but very quickly some can’t do without!
Over recent months I’ve attended various meetings/conferences where social media is clearly a double edged sword. There was the mum who highlighted her daughter had been bullied 24/7 to the point of suicidal thoughts – even moving school didn’t arrest this evil pursuit. Then there is the fledging business that after meeting with professionals and learning about Search Engine Optimisation, they increased their social media activity and saw their ranking on search engines increase rapidly.
Then of course, delivering training I notice how many people bring their phones with them. Rudeness, presenteeism etc don’t seem to enter their heads, so without trying, they give a really bad impression of their commitment, enthusiasm etc.
What prompted this reflection? Seeing on the news JD Weatherspoons has closed all 900 social media accounts as well as their 700,000 strong personal email database. The reason they give is they don’t like the compulsive use of social media, the trolling and so on.
It will be interesting to see if other companies follow this action and if JD Weatherspoons re-activates their accounts in the future.
There is something in ‘compulsive’ use – how many people do you know who go out with family/friends and then spend the night texting? or the colleague who insists on taking their mobile in meetings?
Maybe we really should be conscious of our use of this technology…..
Simon Sinek the British American Motivator, Business Consultant and excellent public speaker has a number of films on YouTube. Below is one on millennials which brilliantly illustrates the impact of the technology/social media……
What are your thoughts? Do we need to be more disciplined in our use of technology/social media?
The social media feature photo is by Geralt.
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