Connect with us

SOCIAL

From emojis to new partnerships, social media giants join celebration of Safer Internet Day

Published

on

from-emojis-to-new-partnerships,-social-media-giants-join-celebration-of-safer-internet-day

Celebrated on Feb. 9, Safer Internet Day (SID) started in 2004 as an initiative of the EU-funded SafeBorders project. Since then, it has grown into a landmark annual event marked by more than 170 countries and aims to promote the safe and responsible use of online technology by people around the world.

Raising awareness about the safe use of social media platforms has been a key focus of SID activities with particular attention being paid to concerns over political manipulation, cyberbullying, and harassment.

Here is how some of the world’s biggest social media companies joined in this year’s event:

Facebook

Globally, Facebook launched a short film on the importance of safety on the platform, with tips and resources to help parents support their children in staying safe while online.

The company also extended its digital citizenship and wellbeing program, Get Digital, to Israel, Turkey, and Russia, and as part of the European Commission’s Better Internet for Kids (BIK) virtual summit showcased its trust, transparency, and control (TTC) labs youth design guide.

Advertisement

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Facebook has launched a series of initiatives and will be rolling out its Get Digital program in the region over the coming months.

In order to help journalists, Facebook has partnered with Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) for its I Will Not Stay Silent project to train writers to combat harassment.

The firm is also working with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) to roll out a six-week digital security webinar training series in Arabic as part of social media solutions training for journalists in the MENA region. The series will run through February to March and those participating in all six live webinar sessions will receive a project completion certificate.

Facebook will also be issuing a 34-page journalist safety guide in English and Arabic explaining how writers can secure information and their social media accounts, while protecting their sources and contacts.

In Jordan, Facebook partnered with the Jordan Open Source Association (JOSA) to produce a digital safety guide and toolkit allowing users to better control unpleasant experiences on the platform.

Shahed Al-Hindi, Facebook’s human rights public policy manager for the MENA region, said: “This campaign and partnership with JOSA are not just a one-off moment, but a continuous process to drive awareness about online safety among MENA users and educate them about the various resources we have in place that they can use to protect themselves.”

Advertisement

The resources, available in Arabic and English, can be found on the Facebook safety center and mini site developed by JOSA.

In Egypt, Facebook announced a partnership with the National Council for Women (NCW), which included the launch of a women’s safety resources package offering cartoons and videos to help educate female users of the platform.

“Keeping people safe on Facebook is really important to us. However, it is a sad reality that there will always be a small number of malicious people who are intent on harming others, online and offline.

“To be clear, we don’t allow that kind of behavior on Facebook and we take quick action when it’s flagged to us,” added Al-Hindi.

Twitter

“The safety of Twitter and the health of the public conversation is one of our highest priorities,” said Camino Rojo, the head of public policy, government, and philanthropy in a blog post.

Advertisement

In the last year, Twitter had made “strides” in tackling abusive content resulting in a 105 percent increase in the number of accounts locked or suspended by the platform for violating its rules.

On Feb. 9, Twitter also launched a special emoji triggered by the hashtags #SaferInternetDay and #SID2021 in 18 languages.

Throughout the month, the social media company will work with its network of safety partners to amplify their guidance and continue the pro-bono Ads for Good program.

It also ran safety training and presentation sessions and participated in events to commemorate SID on four continents.

In the MENA region, Twitter ran an online safety workshop with the UAE TRA Virtual Academy to educate users on multiple elements of online and internet safety, ranging from digital footprint controls to media information literacy and security best practices.

Snap Inc.

Advertisement

Messaging app Snapchat introduced a new feature called Friend Check Up that prompted Snapchatters to review their friends list and check it was made up of people they still wanted to be connected to. The prompt showed up as a notification in users’ profiles.

The feature will start to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months for Android users first and then iOS users.

The new feature is part of a bigger campaign that Snap kicked off in January on global Data Privacy Day with the goal of further integrating online safety and privacy education into Snapchat.

Snap has also partnered with ConnectSafely in the US and Childnet in the UK on filters that will swipe up to additional safety resources from each organization, and it has expanded its safety linkups with organizations such as Crisis Text Line, Shout, The Trevor Project, and Mind Up.

TikTok

TikTok launched a dedicated safety campaign #BeSafeBeHappy by teaming up with some of the biggest creators who shared how they use TikTok’s safety features to take them to their online happy place.

Advertisement

Regional creators participating in the campaign include Saudi-based gamer, Thamer, who encouraged his followers to report videos that were deemed unsafe, Egypt’s Youssef Magdy who showcased how to report negative comments, Egyptian yoga instructor Vatika who expressed her love for TikTok and acknowledged her supporters and fans, and Ahmad Aassi from Lebanon, who created a video showing users how to report and block people who were misusing the app.

Rami Zeidan, head of video and creative at TikTok, said: “We have a responsibility at TikTok to provide our users with a safe and positive environment and this is something we don’t take lightly.

“The #BeSafeBeHappy campaign is yet another step to raise awareness of our safety features and ensure our users continue to experience and spread joy on the platform.”

Read More

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address

SOCIAL

Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

Published

on

By

Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

Advertisement

This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

SOCIAL

Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

Published

on

Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

Advertisement



“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

Source link

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

SOCIAL

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Published

on

Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

Advertisement



Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

Source link

Keep an eye on what we are doing
Be the first to get latest updates and exclusive content straight to your email inbox.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
Continue Reading

Trending

Follow by Email
RSS