Ethical Social Media from Coursera

Social media connects us across space and time, allowing us to find like-minded communities and participate creatively in public life as never before. We may often use social media without thinking much about the possible consequences. But there is a shadow side associated with social media use, which takes the form of hate speech, increased surveillance, lack of anonymity and questionable use of our data. What do we need to know to use social media spaces effectively, in a way that is safe and productive for all?

This course will guide you into a deeper exploration of online identity, social media communities and their users. You will examine the ways that social media is being used by public institutions such as government to build participation and conversation with audiences. You will encounter the most common ethical debates in social media.

You will also have the opportunity to build your practical skills by developing your professional social media profile, defining your audience, building your social media influence and understanding how to interpret data analytics to "listen" and communicate well.

What's inside

Syllabus

Social Media Concepts

In the introductory module, we will examine the concepts of being social, of self-representation, online identity and publishing. We will also look at how the social media technologies intersect with public and private spheres as networked communication develops.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops a deep understanding of social media concepts and their implications

Taught by experienced instructor with expertise in social media

Covers a comprehensive range of topics, from social media ethics to data analytics

Provides practical skills for building a professional social media profile and understanding data analytics

Suitable for individuals interested in using social media effectively and safely

Requires some prior understanding of social media concepts

Reviews summary

Social media ethics, concepts, and data

According to learners, this course provides a deep dive into the ethical considerations and broader societal impact of social media. It covers foundational concepts around identity and community, explores the relationship between users and organizations in cultural production, and delves into social media data analytics. Students appreciate that the course encourages a critical examination of social media use and its data. While balancing theoretical insights with practical elements, the primary focus remains on the conceptual and ethical frameworks.

Covers identifying and interpreting data.

"I found the section on social media data analytics useful for understanding how to collect and interpret data."

"Explores how communication produces data and how to understand it."

"Provides an opportunity to identify and access data patterns."

Critically examines social media use.

"I learned to critically examine social media use and its implications."

"The course directly addresses the ethical challenges of social media."

"It makes you think about the consequences of online actions."

Insights applicable to professional use.

"This course provides valuable insights applicable to professional social media management."

"Helped me think about my own professional social media profile."

"Useful for understanding how organizations use social media data."

Balances concepts with practical insights.

"I appreciated the balance between theoretical concepts and practical elements like data analytics."

"It covers both the 'why' behind social media and some 'how-to' skills."

"Combines foundational concepts with applicable knowledge."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ethical Social Media with these activities:

Review concepts of social media

Show steps

Review key concepts to refresh your understanding before studying the course materials

Browse courses on Interpersonal Communication

Show steps

Identify the core concepts of social media
Explain the evolution of social media
Describe how social media has changed communication

Attend a social media industry event

Show steps

Engage with professionals in the field and learn about the latest developments in social media

Browse courses on Social Media

Show steps

Search for upcoming industry events related to social media
Register for and attend the event
Network with other attendees, speakers, and organizers
Follow up with your new connections after the event

Create a strategic social media marketing plan

Show steps

Refine your skills through external tutorials to develop a plan for effective marketing using social media

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

Show steps

Identify your target audience
Set specific and measurable goals for your campaign
Choose the right social media platforms
Create engaging content
Monitor and adjust your campaign

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Attend a social media marketing workshop

Show steps

Expand your knowledge on the latest trends and best practices in social media marketing by participating in a workshop

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

Show steps

Research and identify reputable workshops in your area
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests and goals
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions
Follow up with the organizers or speakers to ask questions and stay connected

Practice social media listening and analysis

Show steps

Sharpen your skills in identifying and interpreting social media data to gain valuable insights

Browse courses on Social Media Listening

Show steps

Identify a specific topic or brand to monitor
Use social media listening tools to track mentions and conversations related to your topic
Analyze the data to identify trends, patterns, and key influencers
Present your findings in a clear and concise way

Develop a social media dashboard

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of social media data by building a tool to track and analyze metrics

Browse courses on Social Media Analytics

Show steps

Identify the key metrics to track
Collect data from various social media platforms
Visualize the data in a clear and concise way
Set up alerts and notifications for important metrics

Career center

Learners who complete Ethical Social Media will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for developing and executing social media strategies. They create content, manage social media accounts, and track results. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Social Media Manager. You will learn about social media marketing, content creation, and community management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Community Manager

Community Managers are responsible for building and managing online communities. They create content, moderate discussions, and engage with members. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Community Manager. You will learn about community management, content creation, and social media marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Digital Strategist

Digital Strategists are responsible for developing and executing digital strategies for organizations. They use a variety of digital channels to reach their target audience, including social media, email, and paid advertising. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Digital Strategist. You will learn about digital marketing strategy, campaign planning, and data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Strategist

Digital Marketing Manager

Digital Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing digital marketing campaigns. They use a variety of channels to reach their target audience, including social media, email, and paid advertising. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Digital Marketing Manager. You will learn about digital marketing strategy, campaign planning, and data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Manager

Social Media Analyst

Social Media Analysts are responsible for collecting and analyzing data about social media usage. They use this data to understand how people are using social media and to develop strategies for engaging with them. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Social Media Analyst. You will learn about social media analytics, data visualization, and social media marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Analyst

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing the public image of an organization. They write press releases, manage media relations, and develop public relations campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Public Relations Specialist. You will learn about public relations strategy, media relations, and crisis management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Market Researcher

Market Researchers are responsible for conducting market research to gather insights about consumer behavior. They use a variety of methods to collect data, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Market Researcher. You will learn about market research methods, data analysis, and consumer behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to extract meaningful insights and help companies make better decisions. This course can help you develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. You will also learn how to use data visualization to communicate your findings. These skills are in high demand in a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies for organizations. They oversee all aspects of marketing, including product development, pricing, and distribution. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Marketing Manager. You will learn about marketing strategy, market research, and customer relationship management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Communications Manager

Communications Managers are responsible for developing and executing communications strategies for organizations. They oversee all aspects of communication, including public relations, media relations, and social media. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Communications Manager. You will learn about communications strategy, media relations, and crisis management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Manager

Advertising Manager

Advertising Managers are responsible for planning and executing advertising campaigns. They work with clients to develop creative concepts and media plans. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Advertising Manager. You will learn about advertising strategy, media planning, and creative development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Manager

Content Writer

Content Writers are responsible for creating written content for a variety of purposes, including websites, blogs, and social media. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Content Writer. You will learn about content creation, copywriting, and SEO.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of websites and apps. They focus on making sure that users have a positive experience when interacting with a product. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful User Experience Designer. You will learn about user experience design principles, usability testing, and information architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Brand Manager

Brand Managers are responsible for developing and managing the brand of an organization. They work to create a consistent brand experience across all channels, including marketing, advertising, and social media. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Brand Manager. You will learn about brand management, marketing strategy, and advertising.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Manager

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for developing and maintaining websites. They use a variety of programming languages to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. This course can help you develop the skills needed to be a successful Web Developer. You will learn about web development fundamentals, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Ethical Social Media

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Social media ethics, concepts, and data

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses