digital civility – Ananda Leeke

Happy #FierceLiving Friday!

This afternoon, while I was reading my new book, The Social Media President: Barack Obama and the Politics of Digital Engagement by James E. Katz, Michael Barris, and Anshul Jain, I thought about how accessible President Obama (POTUS) and the White House are compared to previous administrations.

The Twitter chat POTUS had about climate change with comments about the NBA yesterday is a perfect example. Click on link to read a Storify summary of key moments during the chat that were posted on the WhiteHouse.gov blog:
https://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/05/28/follow-along-potus-answers-your-questions-climate-change. When I read it, I immediately said, “only in the USA can you tweet and chat directly with POTUS.”

Under the new leadership of Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman, the White House Office of Digital Strategy (WHODS) has expanded the voice of POTUS through his own Twitter account so that he engages with Americans more directly. WHODS is also giving Americans a greater opportunity to have their voices heard by POTUS without any third party gatekeepers. By valuing and creating an open portal for direct conversation, the WHODS is making certain that everyone’s voice can be heard. What a great #socialcivics lesson on digital engagement! Now that’s what I call Fierce Living!

Here’s what I’d like to know. If you could have a Twitter chat with POTUS, what would you discuss?

Photo Credit: Pete Souza, http://www.whitehouse.gov

Technology, the Internet, and social media are amazing. They have empowered people with information, a global space, and a portfolio of tools to communicate, promote, and debate their ideas and experiences. They have also presented challenges in how people communicate and engage with each other as they exercise their freedom of speech on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other sites in cyberspace. Some of these challenges include speech that causes fear or creates a threat of being the target of unwarranted abuse, harassment, or lies. Thanks to organizations like CiviliNation, an education and research nonprofit that focuses on advancing the full capability of individuals to communicate and engage in cyberspace in a responsible and accountable way, work is being done to educate people about these challenges.

In an effort to support CiviliNation’s work and to promote digital civility, the Digital Sisterhood Network is launching its Digital Civility & Security Initiative on July 4, 2011. From July 4 to July 11, the Digital Sisterhood Network will use its web site, Digital Sisterhood Wednesday celebration, Twitter page, and radio show to promote and celebrate women in social media and organizations that provide awareness and outreach on digital civility, Internet freedom of speech, online security, privacy, and digital etiquette. In addition, Andrea Weckerle, CiviliNation’s founder will co-host the July 6th Twitter chat on digital civility from 8:00 pm ET to 9:00 pm ET. Please use the hashtag #digitalsisterhood to participate in the conversation.

What do you think about digital civility?

Do you feel safe in expressing your thoughts online?

Share any stories about online communication challenges you have faced in the comment section below.

Be sure to check out the videos below featuring CiviliNation Andrea Weckerle and Digital Sisterhood Network founder Ananda Leeke.

Category: digital civility

#FierceLiving Friday: Only In USA Can You Tweet @POTUS About Climate Change & NBA

Ananda is launching the Digital Sisterhood Network’s Digital Civility and Security Initiative in July