ePLATFORMS

 

Nowadays, the advertisements and publications of many organizations have taken over on social media sites. Many organizations have their own sites that are monitored. These sites often produce content that differs from the services the organization would otherwise offer. Social media platforms were originally created primarily as places to share life events or other purposes among users. Today, organizations make themselves visible precisely by being fully engaged in social media. This acts as advertising without actual ads and is one of the methods for a successful business.

In my current work with youth guidance services, social media applications such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are used. Advertising is created and shared on Facebook and Instagram. Through the WhatsApp channel, young people are reached more smoothly than by traditional phone calls or text messages. The channels are effective. Young people are met and engaged through social media. Data protection is important. Many young people are minors. The work includes creating posts, planning and executing live events and gatherings on social media channels. Using social media in work affects a career in various ways, for example in networking or recruitment when looking for a new job.

As human beings, we are different. Everyone has their own interests and goals. Each person interprets the information obtained from social media channels in their own unique way. As a result of the content produced by social media and people’s different interpretations, many harmful effects can occur, for example on mental health. People’s differing opinions and views can lead to extremes in reactions and actions when the content and posts produced by others are not desirable or constructive.

New useful and applicable digital tools for my work

TikTok is a popular app among young people. The app could be suitable for youth center work, as TikTok could be used to record and publish case guidance videos on current topics that would interest young people and benefit them. TikTok could also be used to promote and invite young people to participate in various group activities offered at youth centers. A good advantage of TikTok is that content can be made impactful and educational. Users can save videos as “drafts” if they don’t want to publish them immediately. Users have the option to choose which users they want to interact with, for example, by commenting on posts. Users can also set videos to be “public” or “private” if they wish. Organizations and many entities can advertise their activities on TikTok. In its versatility, TikTok is a unique and interesting application.

In my opinion, TikTok should be developed to be more suitable for work use. TikTok has many negative and questionable aspects; the content is often dubious and addictive. Cyberbullying occurs, and comments can be mean. TikTok has come under scrutiny due to privacy violations, misinformation, offensive content, and its role, for example, in the Gaza war. TikTok has been assessed to increase mental health problems. TikTok is available to users in multiple countries, but many countries have implemented full or partial bans. Many countries have restricted its use on state-issued devices for safety and privacy reasons.

Zoom is an online tool that allows you to share webcam video, voice, or computer audio, as well as share your screen with other participants. I could use Zoom for remote group meetings, coaching sessions, discussions, and teaching. I could invite participants to join on Zoom and create a live session. In small-scale group activities, where it is difficult for a young person to participate in social events, I could use a Zoom meeting and gathering thoughtfully. A positive aspect is the clarity and ease of use of communication. Young people are skilled at using various digital applications that they like. Discussions should be prepared in advance so that the young person can prepare for meetings beforehand. Remote meetings are better suited for some. The benefits of Zoom should be considered on an individual and situational basis. Agreed-upon matters could be recorded if necessary, so they can be revisited later. Zoom could also be used for network work.

YouTube is an internet streaming service and website owned by Google. YouTube can be used for campaigning, highlighting various issues, and social activism due to its openness, making it suitable for work with young people. Current problems, such as youth crime, can be addressed on YouTube. A concise video can easily reach a large audience. For example, videos can be compiled from events for YouTube. Advantages include flexibility and meaningfulness. YouTube can be used for both internal and external purposes.

The downside of YouTube is that anyone can create an account and upload harmful content. Authorities are often able to remove harmful material quite quickly, but there may still be so-called copies of harmful content circulating online on YouTube. Some countries or institutions have censored or restricted videos if the videos have violated national laws. Restrictions have varied from laws based on ethics or morality to copyright infringement and national security concerns. A concerning aspect is that the YouTube site has been observed recommending videos to users that contain hate speech or violence.

Pinterest is an American social media service. Pinterest provides information in the form of published digital boards, such as inspiration, motivation, styles, recipes, etc. Pinterest acts as a virtual substitute for paper products, where you can collect your favorite selections or share boards with others. Young people can create a private profile or account on Pinterest when they turn 16. Since young people are often minors, their youth safety accounts remain hidden from the public on Pinterest. Instead of collecting paper versions, a young person can gather useful materials on Pinterest as boards, which stay saved there. In digital boards, attention can be given to visualization and user-centered design. A definite advantage is that Pinterest increases creativity and inspiration.

A downside of Pinterest is that the platform is flooded with content. Without a clear goal, it’s easy to lose the original direction and purpose. Privacy has been considered the biggest concern for Pinterest’s network platforms and their users. To keep users’ information safe and ensure that new data collection regulations are compliant with the latest rules, Pinterest has started collaborating with LiveRamp, which allows data to be created in ‘clean rooms’ for selected advertisers. This collaboration enables Pinterest’s advertising partners to use first-party data for personalized ads without having to share their information with Pinterest.

You can create a free account on Evernote, and it can be used on computer and mobile apps as well as browsers. Notes can be automatically synchronized between different devices on Evernote. Only an internet connection is required. The app allows you to clip web page links and images. It has text recognition for images. On the account, you can create notebooks, record audio, and take pictures with Google Maps. You can add titles, texts, attachments to images, and format texts by bolding, underlining, and listing. The user can create pages that are useful, enjoyable, and personalized, thereby increasing ease of use. All of this is useful and would support my work. If a young person has challenges with concentration or mental health, or if remembering things and keeping them organized causes problems in daily life, Evernote could provide solutions and support.

Due to its availability, Evernote has gained a lot of popularity. Reviews have mostly been positive. Evernote Scannable is an add-on available for iOS that allows you to upload paper documents as digital files. The program recognizes receipts and business cards. For taking screenshots and drawing, it is possible to use the Skitsch add-on, which can be downloaded, for example, for Android, iOS, or Mac.

Self-reflection and contemplation

Through this task, I was able to see how many opportunities there are to carry out work using different social media platforms. The tools can be used for many purposes, such as sharing ideas, building a professional image, or finding inspiration. I have learned more about digital tools and their usefulness, as well as their potential drawbacks. I have considered how I could improve my own and my workplace’s performance with the help of these tools. Many platforms offer good options. A good digital tool is one that suits its intended use and is secure. There are many ways to make use of them in work environments. Social media and the tools it offers are useful and work in many situations. Most applications have some level of artificial intelligence. However, using them always requires evaluating the accuracy of the content and exercising judgment.

Social media platforms can be used for different purposes and can help develop work. In the future, I want to try more various tools, as well as spend time on how work becomes visible on social media. It is important to be visible. It is not enough to just share information or use applications for different purposes. In social and healthcare, confidentiality is very important. The employer allows the use of different applications and approves safe and permissible tools.