Social networks are nothing new to the world. According to Bandura (2001), social networks are made up of relationships that include occupational colleagues, organizational members, kinships, and friendships (p.19). We are much more aware of the word “social network” because of the rise of internet media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress and many more online social media platforms. Anyone who engages in these platforms allows for anyone to see the information that they post to be read and analyzed in an instant. It also allows for a two-way communication of information where individuals can communicate back and forth. This allows for dissemination of information and the ability for individuals to adopt practices and beliefs from others around the world much more quickly than ever before. This relatively new platform in communication has manifested problems within the justification of individual’s information that they allow to be seen on these networks.
Being in athletics and coaching at a higher level, we are not only tasked with the development of our student-athletes on the field of play, but also with how they conduct themselves off the field of play. With the rise of online social networks, fans and critics of athletic sports figures and celebrities can see what is being posted at an instant. This gives them the ability to seek out the various posts that could be flagged as inappropriate and make them known to even a larger audience through sharing, bringing about a whirlwind of problems.
We have all been a likely victim of sharing something on these social media outlets that is not appropriate or crosses the boundaries of what is acceptable to be said in a normal face-to-face conversation and I believe that is partly due to the novelty of online social media platforms. But what possess people to say something that is inappropriate in front of an audience that could be up to millions of people? Two examples i want to bring to light are that of two student-athletes that did not understand that these new social networks still hold many of the rules and justifications that other media hold. The first student-athlete was suspended from the school and team for comments made about a recently gay pro football player that had just come out. His comments would have been inappropriate in any open forum, especially when he was representing an organization. The second student-athlete was suspended from school and the team for an offensive tweet about a young female baseball star. These transgressions by these two young men did not model the individuals that the organizations wanted to be attached to. Their transgressions on these platforms should have been regulated and I believe in an face-to-face open forum were they can visibly see the people they are communicating to, they would have been. Bandura (2001) states that transgression behavior can be sanctioned two ways: by social sanctions and by internalized self-sanctions (p.9). Social sanctions arise because the possible transgressors may refrain from acting that way because of the social consequences and blowback he will receive from everyone else. Internalized self-sanctions arise because the individual may feel a sense of self-reproach. I believe that online social networks are fostering a communication platform that can more often lead some one to not self-regulate and allow their moral standards to be forgotten.
Many student-athletes justify their actions by saying “well everyone else was saying it, so why can I not say it?” They forget that they are apart of an organization that has it’s own rules, morals, and ethics. Student-athletes can not justify that they have the freedom to say whatever they want on whatever media they so choose to say it. It does not work that way and many young people are figuring that out. Many businesses now look at social media platforms to see what possible employees post on these networks. What they post not only can portray themselves, influence others, but also cause problems for who they are affiliated with because they are about of that social network as well.
So my question is, with the development of online social media and the transgressions that often take place on them, which they do, are individuals to be held just as accountable as if they were said in a face-to-face forum. Or is there any area for leeway?
Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication. In J. Bryant & D. Zillman (Eds.). Media effects. Advances in theory and research (2nd ed., 121-153). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Technology of Communication 
I think you pose a great question and when it comes to transgressions that harm or disrespect another individual, we should hold them to the same standard as we would if it happened face-to-face. I think a lot of people would modify their online behavior if they knew there would be direct consequences to their actions. I also think a lot of people post things online anonymously precisely because they do not want to be associated with the statement. On the other hand, I am sure there are online recovery groups or forums that rely on user anonymity in discussing personal issues or problems. I think in cases like these, protecting an individual’s identity is a right worth protecting because discussing personal issues can leave a person vulnerable and even at risk. I don’t have a clear answer to your question, but I do know it will remain a major social issue for years to come.
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In regards to student-athletes, this is something that any coach or administrator with the team needs to pay attention to. Athletes are known for their performance on the field and are recognizable both on and off the field to the common student. Athletes are under a microscope, and their actions are judged whether they think so or not. These individuals are expected to represent the team/university both on and off the field. Many times when people post on controversial subjects they only think of the personal affect the post will have. However whatever message is being portrayed can be taken in different context. Meanings of what the person had said can be interpreted in a variety of ways, many times in the light of the athlete it is interpreted as negative. The internet has created a platform that people can post on controversial topics, one needs to think before they post.
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This is a topic that should be brought up to all student-athletes! Every season seniors hold a girls team meeting. During this meeting we talk about different things. What to expect, goals that the team wants to meet, and team bonding activities. One topic that is stressed every year is that they are aware of what they are putting on social media. Our coach has a zero tolerance for anyone who posts negative things about another team member or the coaching staff. Those who are respectable and hardworking stand out, but those who can’t hold their tongue or the tips of their fingers stand out just as much if not more. Social media has created an outlet for anyone to do as they please without any discipline. I believe whether something is said in person or done behind the comfort of their screens they should be held accountable.
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That was a great question at the end and a great topic to bring up. Moral standards are often forgotten when you are behind a computer screen. It is so easy to be inappropriate while posting and making comments on sports, and just about any topic really. I believe it is the mindset that you are on the computer, you are typing and seeing the words on a computer screen. You are not thinking about the person behind the computer screen. All you are taking in is the piece of technology in front of you, which makes it easy to be disrespectful to other athletes who are on another team or even just a fan base who is trash talking they other teams fan base. No one thinks of the consequences because in their mind, they are talking to a computer not an actual person.
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I can highly relate to your post as once an athlete and now a coach. I have never personally experienced issues with social media networks, but I have had teammates and now players unfortunately experience the negative aspects. As a coach, we try to explain to our players the importance of being responsible and appropriate when using the different social media networks. Unfortunately, there will always be certain individuals that abuse the use of social media, whether it is done anonymously or not, it is a risk of using such networks. There is so much uncertainty, which is the main issue of CMC, it is not always reliable and accurate.
As a college athlete, it is extremely important to remember that you are not only representing yourself but, your coach, team, and university. Therefore, the decision of using the social media networks must be thought out wisely and made responsibly. Great post!
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