The Power of Social Media

In today's world we know how Social Media is strong and powerful tool, especially in hands of celebrities, politicians, sports persons and other influencers.

While its benefits are many it is also true that if not used with discretion, social media can actually prove to be more of a bane than a boon, for not just those influencers, but for everyone who uses it!

Just this morning I read that United States is going to insist on getting social media details for the last 5 years, for every US visa applicant. They are doing this in the name of safety and security of the people wanting to enter into the US.

So those of you who don't have a US Visa and are planning to apply for one, please go back and take a closer look at your posts and tweets - for it may cost you your US Visa! And who knows how many other countries will follow suit!

In other news, the Indian National Congress party social media spokesperson has ended up deleting her Twitter account, and probably resigning from her post as Social Media spokesperson, on account of her Tweet for praising someone from the rival BJP.

Yet another controversy involves a top administrative officer of the municipal corporation being singled out for a tweet concerning Mahatma Gandhi and his assassination. Even though she deleted the tweet and also clarified it over and over again she is still in the cross-hairs of those who are out to get her.

Last week, I was invited by my Rotary Club to speak on Personal Branding. I emphasized on how we need to be aware of the "gap" between "who we think we are" and "how others perceive us" and how we can recognize this gap and through conscious steps, bridge it.

Sure, you can't please everyone or make everyone happy, but that's not the point. The point is to be able to clearly communicate what you stand for.

Social media is very powerful and needs to be used wisely or it could end up costing you your job at worst, or a "mere" US Visa ... or even your complete social media account! You have been warned!

Well ... and that's how I feel :)

Do share your thoughts and comments below.

This article originally appeared here: https://sandeepohri.wordpress.com/2019/06/03/the-power-of-social-media/