Social Media Risks

Social media usage is growing at an exponential rate. With this growth come enormous benefits, like the ability to connect people all around the world and allow them to create increasingly rich content. With this growth, however, also comes an increasing number of risks.

As you pursue your Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems degree, it’s important to understand both the personal and organizational risks around social media use. Read about this important topic in research provided by University of Alabama at Birmingham, Collat School of Business faculty, including professors: Paul Di Gangi, Julio Rivera, Samuel Thompson and James Worrell.

Risks of Personal Usage of Social Media

Social risks and technology-based risks are both at issue when considering what is associated with personal use of social media. The following specific social risks are at hand in individual usage:

• Loss of productivity
• Cyberbullying
• Cyberstalking
• Identity Theft
• Social Information overload

There are also social risks associated with professional usage, including inconsistent personal branding, being viewed as someone who’s slow to adopt social media, damage to personal reputation and leaked data that poses security risks.

The following technology-based risks are also concerning:

• Hacks
• Service interruptions
• Unintentional or intentional violation of legal requirements
• Malicious software
• Unauthorized access to a social media account
• Unreliable user-generated content
• Distorted view of the mark due to visible and vocal minority

More risks arise when you consider social media usage in organizations.

Risks of Social Media Use in Organizations

Effective MIS leaders have to stay on top of the latest trends to remain relevant in their careers. Risks associated with social media use within their organizations are one such trend. A recent Delphi study found that social media use within an organization can lead to loss of competitive data or trade secrets, damage of an organization’s reputation, intentional or unintentional violation of legal or regulatory requirements and unintended exposure of information.

To learn more about this important research and its relevance to your future Management Information Systems career, view the UAB Collat School of Business infographic below: