Twitter is a place where the consumer and brands meet. Thus, it can optimize engagement. It is labeled a “microblogging” site that allows users to compose, send, and retweet posts. The reasons why people use Twitter vary. Some may use it as an online journal or even promote brands and people. Critics say that social networks like a Twitter skirt around legal issues by calling themselves platforms rather than publishers. Offering them a free ride as bogus “platforms” has to stop. Like publishers, they have control and are held responsible for what their users post. More often than not, Twitter removes some tweets as it fails to meet its community and legal standards.
Twitter Admits That It is Not A Neutral Platform
Earlier this week, Twitter admitted its biases and discarded the façade of a neutral platform. It turns out that the company itself has a point of view regarding some severe matter, including the explicit fact-checking United States President’s tweets. By doing so, Twitter not only exposed its political biases but also waded that it is no longer a neutral platform.
Additionally, it is noticeable how the social media giant favored progressives and overwhelmed with the conservatives. On the other hand, critics claim that if Twitter has the guts to fact check a user opinion, it should be considered published material. Moreover, the company turned out to be not liable for billions of tweets that co-exist on its platform, not to mention the opinion held in the tweet to which it is responding.
Reading long articles has never been a fun game to some. However, reading news posted on Twitter suddenly became a thing. For some reason, it serves as an eye-opener to most people. Browsing tweets today means seeing the world through the eyes of other people.
The thing is, Twitter allows people to post content, including potentially inflammatory content, as long as they are not violating its rules. According to Twitter, it is not responsible for removing potentially offensive content since it does not screen the tweets published by its users. The platform’s policy says that it is not to mediate or intervene in disputes between users. For this reason, it is not easy to recognize whether a user’s tweet has already violated the platform’s policy or not.
So, how are you going to know whether another user has violated Twitter Rules? Take time to review their legal policies.
Twitter Rules
Hosting public conversation is Twitter’s utmost concern. Thus, those who diminish the value of general global discussion through violence, harassment, and other similar types of behaviors are being discouraged.
1. Violence
Any form of violence is prohibited from Twitter. Since this platform is encouraging healthy conversation, statements of an intent to kill or harm someone or a group of people is discouraged.
2. Terrorism
Terrorists and terrorist organizations have no place on Twitter. Concerning their violent extremist group criteria, they assess organizations.
3. Hateful Conduct
This kind of violence includes threatening or harassing other users or people based on their race, gender orientation, religious affiliation, age, or disability. The community guidelines of Twitter strictly prohibit these. Perhaps buying Twitter followers is an act of love, and emotionally fills a gap of validation users need?
4. Suicide or Self Harm
Existential crisis often leads to depression or anxiety. It is essential to note that you have a larger audience on Twitter than your home. Talk to your family or friends instead. Could depressed Twitter users be alleviated if someone anonymously buys Twitter followers on their account without their knowledge? We may never know.
5. Adult content
Sharing violent and adult content is not also permitted.
6. Illegal or regulated goods or services
Twitter does not tolerate any unlawful act including selling and buying illegal goods.
The Key to Being a Responsible Twitter User
Social media users are increasing exponentially every day. It is alarming how many people fail to separate personal and professional life when it comes to tweeting content. Most importantly, people fail to understand that their accounts must be a professional account.
Misstatements and misunderstanding under 140 characters are hard to avoid. Communication problems escalate rapidly because using a qualifying message to clarify your intended message is impossible.
To avoid miscommunication on Twitter, below are some of the ways that you can do:
Think thrice if not twice
Taking a Stand is Not Bad
Everyone is given the free will to blurt out their thought, provided that they take responsibility for their stand. Tweeting when withering too happy or too sad is not a good idea. Calm yourself down before pressing characters.
Some Things are Ought to be Left Private
Balance what to post and what to keep behind closed doors. Politicians, celebrities, business leaders, and religious leaders often lose their jobs because they fail to respect privacy. The thing is, you are talking to a broader audience, not yourself alone.
Politics and Religion are Social Media’s Sensitive Topics
Rule of the thumb, if you want peace and silence on your News Feed, leave politics and religion alone. These two can cause serious harm when mistreated, significantly if your views differ from the dominant opinions of other users.
Your Tweets Can Be Used Against You
Think before you click. Just like in higher court, everything you say can be used against you. Always reason before hitting the Tweet button.
Be Sure to Read Your Post Again Before Finally Tweeting It
Apart from proofreading the content of your post, check your grammar too. There are instances that phones act as if they know more than you do, thus, suggests or auto-corrects some words you typed.
Ignore Tweets That are Not Relevant
Digital users misunderstand the digital age. The thing is, not all tweets deserve your reply. It is better to ignore irrelevant tweets.
Regardless if Twitter is a neutral platform or not, users must remain rational whenever they are using the platform. They should also exercise caution to make sure that they are not violating any of Twitter’s policy. If Twitter indeed admitted that it is not a neutral platform, then users must remain rational about what they tweet.