Theological and Ethical Implications of Social Media

Mini-Keynote III by Shelby Meyerhoff

for Massachusetts Bay District Spring ConferenceMay 1, 2010

Questions

How can we make an online community as safe as possible?How can individuals (esp. religious professionals) use social media in a way that improves relationships (rather than harming)?How can we be inclusive online?How do we use social media in a way that is spiritually nourishing?

How can we make an online community as safe as possible?

Administrative access and security

Shared administrative access to the congregation’s social media presence.

Congregation’s social media presence belongs to the congregation as a whole.

Secure (non-guessable) passwords.

Back up content.

Identification

Identification of community members may be safer than anonymity.

Confidentiality

Treat social media as a completely public space.

Don’t count on 100% security even for “private” groups.

Ok to react to disclosure of concerning personal information by others.

Clear expectations for online community

Covenant or social media policy for content posted on social media build on best “real world” practices, congregational covenant.

Content moderation policies.

Enforce policies!

Model through personal engagement.

Sample content moderation policy

[Congregation name] has the right to delete any inappropriate content from this page, including but not limited to: irrelevant content, hateful content, attacks against an individual, financial solicitations, endorsements of a political candidate or party, and content that violates Facebook’s terms of use, code of conduct, or other policies. Content that violates Facebook’s policies may also be reported.

How can individuals use social media to improve relationships?

Relationship Building

Your best self.

Consistent and clear policies to “friending.”

“Real world” ethical principles still apply.

Some conversations need to happen face-to-face.

Knowledge (about privacy settings) is power.

The Ten Commandments of Social Networkingby Erik Resly

1. Thou shalt not post personal information, opinions or media that compromise your ministerial integrity or the wellbeing of others.

2. Thou shalt not speak pejoratively of, or mention conflicts with, family members, friends or congregants.

3. Thou shalt not use language inappropriate for fellowship hour.4. Thou shalt not disclose intimate information that would make readers

feel uncomfortable.5. Thou shalt not substitute electronic communication for face-to-face

interaction.6. Thou shalt exercise discretion and maintain professional boundaries.7. Thou shalt uphold offline confidentiality practices.8. Thou shalt regularly update and maintain your online presence.9. Thou shalt be honest and authentic without over-sharing.10. Thou shalt enjoy the benefits and playfulness of social networking.

How do we make our online community inclusive?

Welcoming participants

Promote the congregation’s social media presence in other congregational materials

Don’t make assumptions about who can and can’t use social media

Offer to orient congregants unfamiliar with social media

How do we use social media in a way that is spiritually nourishing?

Process

Social mediaengagement

Evaluationof social media

experience

Development of and commitment to mission/purpose

“I started the blog when I started a sabbatical as a way to keep in touch with the congregation. I’ve come to feel it is an important part of my ministry.” – James Ford

http://monkeymindonline.blogspot.com/

Our thoughts, insights, and musings may open doors for other Unitarian Universalists to know that our denomination is open enough to hold our spiritual selves. I personally write because it helps me make sense of this crazy life we all lead. It seems that what I write helps others make

sense too.” – Tina Simson http://www.uuwellspring.org/

Credits

Icons in this presentation come from:• http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk• http://www.smashingmagazine.com