Archive for the ‘Social Networking’ Category

Video is so 2020 – now social media networks are going all in on audio By The – IOL

By The Washington Post May 3, 2021

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By Rachel Lerman

It's been a long year full of child care challenges, pet interruptions and Wi-Fi blips for the millions of people across the country who suddenly needed to work from home full-time. And then there's the video calls. So, so many video calls.

Video calls that may have made some people resentful of the FaceTime or Zoom calls that came after-hours to catch up with friends or family or to try to professionally network. Tech companies know there is video fatigue out there.

Their solution? Audio.

Instagram said this week that it would now allow people to turn off their video and mute themselves, during Live Rooms, a feature the social media company launched last month that allows up to four people to chat and live broadcast together. Effectively, that means there could be an audio-only Live Room.

Twitter launched a similar function to some users starting in December, called Spaces, which allows one person to start a live chat room that speakers and participants can join. Facebook said earlier this month that its seeing a "continuing rise of audio" on its apps and is working on audio creation features. Slack said it is testing voice messaging and rooms. Spotify is reportedly hiring 100 people to build out its live audio features, according to Bloomberg.

Even LinkedIn wants in - the professional networking company confirmed to TechCrunch that its testing a social audio feature.

The traditional social media companies' interest in audio follows the breakaway success of audio-only social media app Clubhouse. The app lets people create "rooms" to discuss a certain topic (or just chat), and designate others who join to also speak. It's become popular with artists, Black creators, and techies who want to discuss entrepreneurship or cryptocurrency.

Clubhouse did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the increasingly hot market. The app still has a strong head-start in many ways. Research from Sensor Tower estimates that the app has been downloaded 16.6 million times and the analytics company said there is "strong retention" among Clubhouse users.

Still, it can be hard to compete with the entrenched tech giants that have millions or billions of users already committed to using their apps. And Facebook has faced criticism for copying competitors in the past. Congress grilled CEO Mark Zuckerberg on some of those points last summer.

Facebook's Stories function on both its flagship platform and Instagram is similar to Snapchat's earlier feature. More recently, the company added Reels to Instagram, which critics said appeared to be an answer to video app TikTok.

(Zuckerberg appeared on Clubhouse to talk about the company's competing audio features earlier this month.)

Audio streaming, whether talking or bingeing a podcast or listening to an audiobook, has become a favorite pandemic habit for many people. Listening to audio content is at an all-time high, according to a March report from Edison Research and Triton Digital.

It's easier to multitask while listening to just audio, and people certainly have video fatigue from the past year, said Jamie Gilpin, chief marketing officer of social media analytics company Sprout Social.

"We're seeing some companies create their own social-audio apps, while others are retrofitting their existing offerings to have audio-only features," she said in an email. "This represents a new wave of social media, one that capitalizes on accessible, intimate engagement."

And the tech giants are trying to take advantage of that.

On its earnings call with analysts this week, Zuckerberg said the company believes live audio rooms will be "especially useful for groups and communities."

Meanwhile, Twitter is moving faster on expanding Spaces, chief executive Jack Dorsey said on the company's earnings call Thursday. Answering a question from an analyst, Dorsey said Twitter is "pushing really hard on this," though he declined to share user metrics yet.

"But we do believe it's an important part of serving conversation, one important format that complements what people do with tweets and what will complement what people will do with long-form content as well," he said.

The Washington Post

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Video is so 2020 - now social media networks are going all in on audio By The - IOL

Impact of social media on cyber crime in today’s digital age – TheCable

BY ROTIMI ONADIPE

Social media refers to any digital tool that allows users to quickly create and share content with the public. It can be accessed through a computer, smartphone, iPad or any other device that has internet connection. Popular social networking websites include Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Cyber crime refers to any criminal activity that is perpetrated by means of a computer or internet. Common examples of cyber crime are email spamming, cyber bullying, identity theft, online child pornography, phishing and virus dissemination.

Social media is a great platform for connecting with people, building relationships, sharing ideas and expanding businesses. Despite these great benefits, it is also a fertile ground for cyber criminals that are searching for unsuspecting victims.

The prevalence of the usage of social networking websites in todays digital age has also attracted internet fraudsters to set up multiple social media accounts and join many social media platforms so as to increase their chance of getting their victims.

According to a cyber security firm Bromium, the same social media platforms that are used to keep up with friends and family have given rise to a huge global cyber criminal network. According to the Bromium report, nearly 1 out of 5 organisations worldwide are now infected by malware that are shared through social media.

In another academic study by Mike McGuire, senior lecturer in criminology at the University of Surrey, social media-enabled cybercrime is generating at least $3.25 billion in global revenue annually.

Impact of social media on cyber crime in todays digital age:

1. The prevalence of social networking websites usage has increased the number of cyber criminals worldwide.

2. The ability to communicate anonymously on social media makes it possible for most cyber criminals to be untraceable after defrauding unsuspecting victims.

3. It is very easy for cyber criminals to create fake identity on social media and use it to communicate with anyone around the world.

4. Malicious softwares and websites that look legitimate can easily be shared over social media with as many people as possible within a very short time.

5. Fake news which poses a threat to national or global security can easily be shared over the social media.

6. With the prevalence of the usage of social networking websites, online fraudsters can create as many social media accounts as possible with different identities and use it for criminal purposes.

7. Most sensitive information that are supposed to be private are now being shared publicly on social media. This of course increases the users vulnerabilities.

8. Availability of many social networking websites makes it easier for cyber criminals to use their multiple social media accounts to send fraudulent and unsolicited messages to unsuspecting victims.

9. Proliferation of social networking websites has also contributed to the increase in cyber terrorism.

10. The criminal community on the dark web where cyber criminals buy and sell stolen sensitive information is getting bigger because the social media platform has become a fertile ground for online scammers.

However, social media is also an effective tool for combating cyber crime because many people can easily take picture or record video of cyber criminals while they are committing cyber crime. The picture and recorded video can be shared with many anti-graft agencies and law enforcement agents within few minutes. This of course will help a lot in the investigation and prosecution of the cyber criminals.

Rotimi Onadipe can be reached via [emailprotected]

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Impact of social media on cyber crime in today's digital age - TheCable

The Voices of a Movement: Young Activism and Social Justice – The Clipper

With the modern world in the midst of a serious health crisis and the public conversation about police violence becoming feverish at times, there is one young activist from Everett who hopes to be a positive voice in all of that.

Olushola Shola Bolonduro is the son of Nigerian immigrants and grew up in Tacoma, Washington. He is a nursing student and is trained as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist. He is currently studying nursing through an online program at Tacoma Community College and plans to take many of his prerequisites at Everett Community College.

Bolonduro began his activism after moving to Everett. He says, I really wanted to be a part of the Black Lives Matter movement that was happening. I also knew that I wanted to help get things moving in Snohomish County since there wasnt that much networking and organized protests, compared to what I saw happening in King County.

As an African American teen growing up in Western Washington, Bolonduro was keenly aware of the challenges that minorities face in American culture. He says, I developed a strong desire to bring about public awareness of police violence towards people of color. I felt I needed to add my voice to the growing momentum that I saw happening. It became a passion for him and he began organizing different actions and protests around the Puget Sound area.

Over the last several months, he has held an almost daily vigil in downtown Everett, handing out literature from different groups that support victims of hate crimes and bringing attention to national Black Lives Matter efforts.

Everett resident and school district manager, Corinne Flora says this about Bolonduro, his manner is so calm and inviting. I always get the feeling from him that he really wants to help, instead of creating division amongst people. He is really engaging and seems genuinely interested in real dialog with people.

However, not everyone is as happy with his presence in the city. Bolonduro says, I was standing at my normal spot downtown and this old white man came up to me and started yelling at me. He claimed I was saying that white lives dont matter as much; which I never said, and kept pushing the conversation even when I told him I didnt want to engage anymore. The man was eventually escorted away by police, but not before yelling about how the protests need to stop and that Bolonduro and his friends should go home, according to witnesses.

Bolonduro also founded a social media support group called The Dark Side of Everett. He explains, I started this collective as an attempt to bring goths, punks, metalheads, emos and other alternative folks together in Snohomish County and help them find a common positive purpose.

The group has since grown in size and continues to be a support for many young people in the North Sound. This is a safe place for people that step outside the mainstream zeitgeist, says member Jessie Tear. She explains that the group has been a major revelation for her and others. She says, The Dark Side of Everett group has really inspired me to pay more attention to things outside of my own experience. I feel that through this shared aesthetic in music and fashion, I have found some really amazing people who seem to have a real passion for positive change in the world.

Bolonduro hopes that he can inspire younger generations to get more involved in social justice and activism. He says, I really think we have a unique opportunity before us right now. Black Lives Matter is becoming a mainstream idea and with the energy, I see from young people, I feel there is a real opportunity for change.

He explains that he wants his activism to be a major part of his personal and professional life going forward. Bolonduro says, I really hope that through public health and direct activism, I can really make a difference for all vulnerable populations. I want to be a part of a solution, rather than being someone who shouts from the sideline.

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The Voices of a Movement: Young Activism and Social Justice - The Clipper

5 digital marketing strategies to boost the HR industry – India Today

It is common to wonder that HR does not have to do anything with digital marketing anyway. These two verticals seem to be working in two completely different directions. However, with the popularity of social media and advanced technology, HR leaders are capitalizing on the vast opportunities that digital marketing presents in searching for competent candidates and retaining the existing ones.

HRs have come a long way in infusing digital marketing strategies in their recruitment and other employee-related functions. For instance, the use of online job portals became a universal trend in the industry which has transitioned to using social media networks for quality talent. Nowadays, organizations are working extensively to stay on top of technological trends for training, recruitment and talent management.

Apart from this, HR leaders have gradually become the most valued verticals. With the adoption of digital media strategies, they are moving from playing the role of job hunters to real brand builders.

Social media and networking sites are becoming a tremendous source of reaching out to experienced and skilled candidates. Around 94 percent of recruiters are highly active on LinkedIn, as per a recent study. It streamlines the work in the HR industry by making the recruiters reach out to prospective candidates and job seekers reach out to talent leaders.

Furthermore, it makes the screening of a candidates resume easy as talent leaders can quickly go through their social media profiles that decrease the hire and interview scheduling time. Additionally, the use of social media eases the interaction opportunities that further help the HRs to know that the candidates are suitable to fill in the position.

An updated website is a channel to build trust between organizations and job seekers. Since it is the first thing that job seekers witness, a companys website acts as an information hub where they can scroll through the recruiting opportunities and listings in the company.

The HR teams are focusing on keeping the website up to date reflecting the companys work culture, ethics, and trends. For instance, sharing growth reports on the companys website can be a great technique in giving an insight into the performance of the companys people. Additionally, informative articles correlated with other industries can be done to secure brand visibility.

People are the companys most important asset. Having employer branding to showcase that the company is a good employer. The concept of employer branding is much more than the distribution of collaterals or creating a Facebook or LinkedIn page with the companys branding.

Having digital tools to create brand awareness can help HRs in creating a companys distinguished employer branding. Todays HRs use a full spectrum of channels from the web to social media to reinforce employer brand in a digitally transformed ecosystem. This could involve using social media networking platforms to manage the employers brand identity through an impeccable piece of content.

Organizations that use strong data analytics outperform their peers in talent management and acquisition. Using analytics, HRs can attract people with the right competencies and manage talent effectively. Further, analytics can help the HRs in getting measurable insights on recruitment, performance, productivity, pay and benefits, etc.

Apart from that, to improve staff retention and create efficiency, HRs can study staff turnover rates that help in making better decisions in employee engagement and exit. The use of specific HR analytics that can be integrated with Finance data can help create a cost-efficient HR ecosystem.

This can also involve the use of workforce performance analytics to identify good and bad performers. As a result, HRs can make the right decision in providing training and support to employees that need to excel.

An effective communication successfully educates, informs, and inspires employees. Having a robust internal communications plan in place helps in driving cultural change and fosters employee engagement.

Embedding digital tools in the internal communications plan can result in an enhanced employee experience. For instance, blogs can be an effective digital tool for sharing the right information with employees.

In addition, HRs can leverage the use of social media groups as a platform to engage employees.

Digital marketing has opened up various opportunities for job seekers and recruiters to engage and build a strong platform for employee attraction. Embracing the tools of digital transformation and integrating them with HR functions can map valuable talent and develop a robust HR ecosystem.

--Article by Yogita Tulsiani, MD and Co-founder, iXceed Solutions (Global Tech-Recruiter Provider).

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Read: Why teachers and educators need to be trained in the current education scenario

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5 digital marketing strategies to boost the HR industry - India Today

Prohibition Partners LIVE returns for third edition with agenda set to push forward cannabis transformation – PRNewswire

LONDON, May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Prohibition Partners LIVE, the premium virtual conference for the global cannabis industry, is returning for its third edition with a distinguished line-up of political, business and cultural leaders who will speak on the industry's most pressing issues, from legislation change to social equity commitment, as well as mainstream opportunities in areas from wellness to blockchain.

Taking place on 18-20 May, the virtual event will bring together 60+ industry-leading speakers from across the globe for disruptive debates and networking to unlock the potential of cannabis transformation. In an agenda that will explore global industry trends, thought leaders share information, exchange ideas and look to push forward regulatory change, including:

VIP attendees will have access to exclusive content and invite-only discussions, as well as a personal introduction service, taking advantage of Prohibition Partners LIVE's large and diverse audience base. VIP delegates from around the world working in sectors ranging from pharmaceutical and healthcare to agriculture and production, and even finance and investment, will have the opportunity to virtually mingle and make meaningful connections in real time, and for an extended period following the event.

For more information and to register for tickets, visit Prohibition Partners LIVE.

About Prohibition Partners LIVE

Prohibition Partners LIVE is the leading virtual cannabis conference, connecting you to the international cannabis industry from anywhere in the world. Powered by Prohibition Partners, the definitive source of data intelligence and strategy for the global cannabis industries.

Media Enquiries: Katie SmittenHead of Communications[emailprotected]+ () 34633663699

Event and Sponsorship Enquiries:Matt FreemantleEvent and Sponsorship Lead[emailprotected]

SOURCE Prohibition Partners LIVE

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Prohibition Partners LIVE returns for third edition with agenda set to push forward cannabis transformation - PRNewswire