Posting embarrassing photos to social media is never good, but what about posting national secrets to your Twitter or Facebook? What happens then, and what is being done it stop it from happening in the first place? One way this is being combated, David Nakamura states, is by banning the use of social media on White House computers. Only those whose job it is to post to social media can access these websites. This however, can create a dilemma because when breaking news occurs, people cannot get real time updates. A program called eChirp was created to allow White House staffers to talk about breaking news as it happens and keep all employees informed.
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There is a fine line between keeping national secrets, and restricting people's freedom. It is one that is more and more relevant to today's world. Almost all politicians have a Twitter account, and so does everyone else. Making sure that company (and government) information stays out of the wrong hands will always be hard, but "Thinking before posting" can be a big help!
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you have stated. There is definitely a fine line between keeping national secrets and restricting people's freedom; but in order to ensure the safety and security of this great nation and its citizens, it may mean that government officials must have "limitations" to social websites. That should be discussed during the interview process and for those who refuse to comply, send them packing. It is just that simple! We, as a country, cannot afford for certain information to EVER get into the hands of the public. All precautions must ALWAYS be on the table!
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI kinda got lost on this. If the restrictions are on the White House computers, then how does that restrict people's freedom? That is the property of the federal government and they can do what they want as to protect proprietary knowledge. The same happens when you go to the library, they restrict websites. You have to understand that when you are an employee of almost any company, you have to abide by their rules. You can't use company computers to go on social media or other sites for that matter. I hope this makes you at least think that what you said doesn't really restrict our freedom. Now if the government restricted personal devices then that is different....but there may be a policy prohibiting personal devices on the clock. Unfortunately there is not a Constitutional right to be informed by private computers. I am only posting this to get you to see the other side.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post! I agree with what you say. Social media should be a place of personal expression, not to post political secrets of national security. Also it is sadly true that companies do look at your online accounts before hiring or even interviewing. At my job whenever we go to hire someone I am in charge of researching them and if I see an inappropriate post or photo that would be wrong in our office we usually don't call them back.
I think this is really interesting and something that I never considered before. My main qualm is that if has to deal with national security then all necessary steps should be taken. Now if the employes were not allowed to use social media at all that would be a different story.
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