Social Media Ethics—Opening Pandora's Box

Back in the day when I was first out of school and looking for a job, an entry level graphic designer could usually find work if they could put together pamphlets, flyers, direct mail packages, and other sales and marketing materials. Today, there's a long list of other skills piled on top.Graphic designers looking for work these days will not only bring added value, but may land the job based on their ability to write and distribute marketing copy for social media, track social media statistics, and develop social media strategies. And yes, they should also know Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, some coding and animation skills to put together a strong layout that will engage audiences.But what about the ethics involved in Social Media? Creating original content is the front facing side of things. Issues like respecting copyright and authorship is the easy part. On the other side, questions about who they are doing business with and issues of privacy and censorship run rampant. Facebook recently celebrated 15 years and their Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, admitted, “We did not anticipate all of the risks from connecting so many people."Then there are the studies that show that designing for apps is akin to designing for slot machines—aimed specifically for addiction. Graphic designers who end up in UX/UI and product design must wrestle with their conscience, much like those who created advertising for tobacco once did.Let's not forget about censorship and surveillance. As graphic designers navigate the world of social media in posting and creating content, they must also keep in mind they are working in a fishbowl with every engagement. In doing so, they should be mindful of not only content, but also context and how their own identity is being perceived. As they create digital footprints for their clients, what are they creating for themselves?The social media landscape is indeed a Pandora's box for anyone who engages—graphic designers, especially those just starting out, need to be especially aware of its implications while building their careers.Sources:https://www.futuristgerd.com/2019/02/is-facebook-unethical-by-design-a-case-study-on-digital-ethics-power-responsibility-and-regulation/https://www.fastcompany.com/3046149/applying-the-addictive-psychology-of-slot-machines-to-app-designhttps://www.thenation.com/article/jeffery-lane-digital-street-book-review/