If you look around any public space—the subway, a restaurant or even a busy street—you will, no doubt, see an army of people plugged in to their phones, with many endlessly scrolling through social media content on sites like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Sporting events and scripted television programs now routinely advertise specific hashtags so users can “join the conversation.” And, modern wedding planning now includes an extra step—determining a clever hashtag so user-uploaded photos can be organized.
Beyond decamping to a remote spot in the Adirondacks, social media has become too pervasive and addictive to avoid. (If a friend isn’t on Facebook, they are probably on Instagram.) These channels are powerful tools for sharing media, engaging in conversations and consuming news. They also carry very real risks for associates and professionals of all stripes.
