Blackfog solves the data privacy issue on Facebook
Negative effects of using social media in the workplace:
- Increased Risk of Malware. …
- Damage Employee Productivity. …
- Reduced Employee Relations. …
- Confidentialityand Company Image. …
Social networking, a common trend in the workplace can be one of the most valuable tools for businesses.
However, it can also cause serious problems at work.
Research from the University of Bergen (UiB), shows that the use of social media for personal reasons during work can have several negative effects on work performance and the general well-being of a businesses.
“Every day, more than one billion people worldwide use social media.
This habit has also invaded the workplace, as some research reports that four out of five employees use social media for private purpose during work time.”
Do the Benefits of Social Media Outweigh the Disadvantages?
The overall finding of the study is that this type of distraction can potentially decrease work performance and productivity.
However, it can also encourage interaction between employees and sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Twitter can be used as free or cost effective advertising channels for your business.
This is why many employers are faced with the need to employ social media policies to minimise the negative effects it has and reap the positive benefits.
Because of the problems that can occur when employees abuse internet access at work for personal reasons, all employers must decide if the benefits of social media outweigh the negative impact it has.
The most important negative effects of using social media in the workplace:
- Increased Risk of Malware
One of the disadvantages is the possibility of the company network being exposed to malware. Hackers can launch spam or commit fraud through some social media platforms. This can be very dangerous for your business and potentially damage your organisation’s networks or computers with security breaches or the corruption of important files. Technical support teams must do their best in order to protect and scan their systems for malware.
- Damage Employee Productivity
According to a study by Nucleus Research; a company which allows its employees to use Facebook in the workplace loses 1.5% of its productivity. Instead of performing their work-related tasks, employees can get distracted and compulsively check Facebook or Twitter for status updates, photos, chat with friends or update their profiles. Even though employees may also access these social networking sites for business-related activities, the available distractions can and their effect on productivity can outweigh the positives.
- Reduced Employee Relations
Although it was previously stated it improves interaction, this is not always the case. Social networking – which is often used for communication – can actually hurt employee relations within an organisation? Cyberbullying is a huge problem in the modern world. Coworkers may harass or send negative messages to one another and hinder teamwork and collaboration. Also, an employee having a bad day may post an update on social media about how his coworkers are annoying, and their colleagues might see the message and realise that it is aimed at or written about them. This isn’t going to help communication during their next group project, right?
- Confidentiality and Company Image
Allowing employees to access social media platforms at work, makes your organisation more vulnerable to potential breaches in confidentiality or a possible tarnished image. Your staff may carelessly post tweets or updates regarding promotions or other business information that the company might not be ready yet to release. Constant leaks of information can happen and are a common problem by sharing confidential information with the wrong people through social media.
When creating and implementing your company’s social media policies make sure to consider all the advantages and disadvantages during office hours. Taking into consideration the proliferation of smartphones, a complete ban may be less effective than having clear guidelines on moderate use.
What do you think? Does social media have more positive or negative effects in the workplace?
THE SOLUTION:
Facebook Data Privacy Protection
In our continued effort to provide data privacy protection, BlackFog has introduced the first of many new blocks against social network data collection. This one focuses specifically on Facebook. With the recent revelation that Facebook tracks you whether or not you are a Facebook customer means that people had no option to opt out of this massive data collection exercise. We have therefore made this new option available (which is off by default for those who still wish to use Facebook) to all customers. Our recent customer survey voted overwhelmingly (over 90%) as the most important new feature we could add. As a result we decided to add this to a minor point release so we could get it into your hands as quickly as possible.
BlackFog firmly believes that you do not need to be the product to use the Internet. Unfortunately, the business models of many large technology companies means that they are reliant on advertising to monetize and hence grow their business for shareholders. Jaron Lanier, one of the early pioneers of Silicon Valley talks a lot about the devolvement of society as a result of this Ad driven culture. If you are not familiar with Jaron, we highly recommend you review his recent TED talk on “How we need to remake the Internet”, which is very insightful.
The increased sophistication of the algorithms used to track and monetize users means that Advertisers are now focused on changing behavior to influence your purchasing decisions and change social discourse. This also means that it tends to amplify negative and minority views quicker than positive views, because this creates results much faster.
We highly recommend that if you are not a Facebook customer, or you are a organization that wants to limit access to Facebook that you enable this option on BlackFog to ensure you have the best privacy protection available.
https://www.blackfog.com/facebook-data-privacy-protection/
See why Blackfog is different to Anti Virus
http://www.acumentech.co.za/blackfog-products/
Craig Theobald
Acumen Technologies
Gauteng 011 782 2194
Craigs Direct Line 27101100372
HARDWARE , SOFTWARE AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDER SINCE 1998
WE ALSO SUPPLY ADSL AND FIBRE TO HOME AND BUSINESS
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Cell 083 653 6298
Email craig@acumentech.co.za