Page developed by Sarah Bodell, Angela Hook & Anita Hamilton

What is Social Networking?

Social Network sites are online tools that support the maintenance of existing or new social networks.  They enable you to connect with other people with shared interests or activities. Sites vary in the types of applications and communication tools they offer users, such as mobile connectivity, blogging, and photo/video-sharing (Kamel Boulos & Wheeler, 2007; Raacke & Bonds-Raacke, 2008).  The most important feature they offer is to make a user's network visible to others, thus opening up the possibility of making new connections and new networks (boyd & Ellison, 2007).  There are over 40 major social network sites on the Internet today, with the two most popular in the English-speaking world being Facebook and MySpace (Arrington, 2008).  

Preliminary evidence suggests that online social networking can facilitate personal and professional development, and provides opportunity to reflect on issues raised by others from different cultural perspectives (Martin, 2007).

The World Wide Web, or Internet has become an online networking system which allows millions of computers to be connected to each other and to share information (Santy and Smith 2007). The Internet has become an important if not ubiquitous part of the working lives of occupational therapists, and most OTs will be now be comfortable with basic internet tasks such as searching for information or sending and receiving e-mails. 

Web 2.0 is a phrase which refers to a perceived second generation of internet capability and reflects the shift in web culture from “Web as information source” to “participatory Web” (Decrem 2007), essentially creating a more social environment. Online social networking focuses on building communities of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

Challenges in online networking

Like most new innovations, online networking has attracted some significant criticism that tends to focus on the public nature of the activity This has generated concerns regarding patient and employer confidentiality, identity theft, and the inadvertent exposure of unprofessional behaviour or activities amongast others.  Fear of these possible negative consequences of engaging in online networking may be preventing some occupational therapists becoming involved in what the authors feel is a fantastic opportunity to engage with occupational therapy peers and experts from all around the world.

As a healthcare practitioner it is, of course, important to consider management of your online profile and image (DiMicco & Millen, 2007) as boundaries between personal and professional lives have become permeable since the advent of Web 2.0.  More clients are choosing to research their therapist and employers are screening potential and current employees using these online forums, and this has promoted much discission in the blogging community.   Sarah Stewart, a midwife in NZ has offerd her thoughts on how this dichotomy can be adressed,  and the following presentation was given by Angela and I at the Scottish Student Occupational Therapy Conference in Scotland, November 2009. 

Netiquette

The authors believe that following the basic rules of online netiquette combined with a willing ness to share and explore can lead to a useful and enjoyable online experience which can contribute immensley  to personal and professional development.

Rule 1. Remember the human.

Never forget at the other end of an online communication is a person, with feelings that can be hurt.

Rule 2. Adhere to the same standards of behaviour online that you follow in real life.

Keep it legal!

Rule 3. Know where you are in cyberspace.

Different cultural practices occur in different parts of the internet. It may be acceptable to be informal and chatty in one place, but professional in another

Rule 4. Respect other people's time and bandwidth.

Be mindful that you are asking people to read what you have written. Ensure that you are not time wasting, flaming (see below) or spamming.

Rule 5. Make yourself look good online.

Consider the image you wish to present, and ensure your postings contribute positively to your online identity.

Rule 6. Share expert knowledge.

Offer answers and help to people who ask questions on discussion groups. It’s a good reputation enhancer too.

 Rule 7. Help keep flame wars under control.

Flaming involves being deliberately provocative, malicious or just persistently irritating.  Don’t do it, and don’t fan the flames of others.

Rule 8. Respect other people's privacy.

States the obvious.

Rule 9. Don't abuse your power.

The more power you have, the more important it is that you use it well.

Rule 10. Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.

You were new too once. 

(Shae 1994)

Link to: Facebook group called OT for OT (Online Technology for Occupational Therapy)