Influencer ethics on Instagram 2

[MadameGrizzly]

It appears we haven't quite finished workshopping the ethical issues of 'influencing' on Instagram: disclose of advertising, the exploitation of minors and the similarities to MLM schemes.

[ElizabethLemon]

@Boredandtired I’m 38 weeks pregnant and will be giving birth at the hospital that the midwife works in. I’m under the care of my local community midwives but sadly there have been some complications with my baby and I will most likely be having a c section so won’t necessarily give birth with one of my midwives present.

I have to say I have thought about how odd it would be to have a HCP looking after me when I know so much about their life (and have seen pictures of their child having a poo).

I must point out that I’m in no questioning this persons professional capabilities and as previously mentioned there has been a lot of positive things said about the care provided by them. It’s just an odd situation is all and maybe something that needs to be considered again by the relevant organisations.

[Boredandtired]

@neverwas it drives DH nuts he can't bear quiet! But for me I love it. I barely turn the radio on at the moment in the car either. Mind space!

[NeverWas]

Totally agree about having silence in the house when possible!

[NeverWas]

www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/social-media-guidance.pdf

See last para on p8 re maintaining professionalism and reputation.

[MadameGrizzly]

Boredandtired: Silence is a very undervalued commodity and to be truthful I think that's why I don't have the TV and radio on in the background at home - or even the sound turned on on stories.

(Though to get the most entertainment from Gianluca Vacchi's IG videos one does need the sound on.*)

• Everyone has a dirty little secret, okay?

[NeverWas]

I was really surprised how a midwife could have a public SM presence at all when I read the code. It has obviously been updated to more clearly define use of SM.

[Boredandtired]

I read the code of conduct with interest and it seems very strange how an online presence full of freebies/gifts and more can fit with the profession. I would be horrified to turn up to a hospital and find someone who had such a persona and came across so badly, and encited online bullying was my health care provider, I'd wonder what was being said behind my back and in the staff room. It's a vulnerable time as it is and you need to be careful that you present consistently.
To juggle 2 such different professions I think you need careful advice. If my dominant profession was a role of midwife and care of vulnerable women I'd be deleting certain posts and all the comments with it and ensure that my online persona was kind/thoughtful and reflective.

[NeverWas]

I agree MadameGrizzly I prefer reading to listening. Although the old Russell Brand podcasts were hilarious.

I did spot an employment lawyer on IG the other day, will try and find her again.

[Boredandtired]

@badmotherpukka @allusedup thanks for clarifying. I do have family Spotify but have to admit in my current time off (clearing up/washing etc) I have silence everyone over 2 in my family is a musician and the 2 yr old is hugely noisy (and always with me!) so silence is my peace... maybe it's a future for me!

[allusedup]

@FlyingBird haha, I do like a lot of The Pool's content but definitely not on commission!
Interesting info @badmotherpukka and good point about crossover engagement - nice way to get more in-depth, issue based conversation going on IG.
@MadameGrizzly for me the audience discussions are more IRL and happen between me, friends, family, colleagues.

[Badmotherpukka]

@MadameGrizzly ours is definitely not child-friendly but the ones under kids & family generally are. Radio is on the rise, people are returning to print and podcasts might to some extent - end up filling SM’s shoes. Speculative, yes but change is in the air. I only mention podcasts for those looking to vote with their feet/follow (or unfollow) and still enjoy free content. There are ads but they are extremely clear - inline with a radio station.

[MadameGrizzly]

Not a hijack, it's interesting and podcasts may be very well be the medium that social media is moving to next.

I think Facebook has been declining for some time and obviously I feel Instagram is losing its appeal.

Listening in the car while I do our insanely complicated school drop offs might work if the podcasts are reasonably child friendly!

[Badmotherpukka]

@MadameGrizzly fair enough. I usually listen without ear buds, while having a bath or doing bits around the house. (Not that you need that image right now.) The ones that work best are a mix of both - like Emma Gannon, for example, who uploads a podcast episode and then you can discuss it on her Instagram. We uploaded a podcast episode centred on ‘alcohol around children’ - and opened the discussion up on Instagram, which garnered 300+ comments/views; many opposing as you can imagine. But to answer your question, there is no immediate comment box on a podcast so, yes, a slight flaw in that regard. Anyhow, didn’t mean to hijack the thread for podcast gain.

[MadameGrizzly]

I prefer reading to listening - I'm especially not an earbud/headphone fan - which is probably a shame as some podcasts sound really interesting.

I'm curious though - where do the audience discussions happen on a podcast?

[Badmotherpukka]

Conversation not conversations

[Badmotherpukka]

@allusedup @boredandtired podcasts are growing exponentially for some of the reasons stated here - many are finished with the (often) vacuous/ fluffy/ perhaps ego-driven nature of Instagram. Plus you don’t have to look down at a screen to consume the content. Another good person to follow on Instagram is Emma Gannon, who also has an interesting podcast Ctrl Alt Delete. From the US-based Pew Research Centre: “Many forms of social media do not allow for in-depth conversations about complex issues, instead seeking to deliver “buzz phrases” or personal anecdotes that catch attention. Podcasts typically do not do this because most are laid out to be more like an actual conversations around topics.”

[allusedup]

@Boredandtired podcasts are kind of like radio shows and you can find them and subscribe to them on iTunes, Spotify, on people's websites directly etc I think there are also other apps that help you find them. The Guilty Feminist is another superb one. Hadn't heard of No Country for Young Women, thanks for the recommendation @badmotherpukka

[MadameGrizzly]

The lawyers on Twitter would shut down any inappropriate discussions?

[MadameGrizzly]

MOD said on the last thread that she complies with her Code and discusses issues with her manager when necessary. I can't work out how her online presence fits with her Social Media Code but I'm sure she has sought advice on that.

It's not just MOD though, following links on IG today I've come across a numbers of Drs and clinical psychologists with accounts who are building a public profile based on their professions. They sail very close to the wind on giving advice. I think Mrs Meldrum was formerly a teacher, though that was never her USP?

I haven't come across any accountant or lawyers on IG disclosing their profession. Either I'm not looking hard enough or they aren't willing to take that risk.

[Boredandtired]

Tori Spelling has posted 2 pics with the lollipops, there's quite a lot of comments and to be fair she's tried to engage. But the photo yesterday her waist is photoshopped and her hand looks really weird!!