Kathryn Lund

Reading your post got me thinking about the line between protecting content and censoring it. As a Chinese based company, TikTok is preprogramed to over censor content. The fact that they banded someone that has same sex content does not surprise me at all. This is not just a TikTok conversation. Every social media company is trying to find that fine line. I think the answer gets back to our conversation about a company’s social media policy. Social media companies should define what is and is not allowed on there platforms, universally enforce it, and then make it a continues process to review and update the policy. These are not new problems, they are just new in the number of and speed the information can reach people.

I feel like everyday I hear about content creators and influencers are having their content banned or having their profile restricted. I’m not on Tik Tok so I’m not fully aware of the issues creators are having but I have been seeing this issue with content creators I follow on Instagram. Some of the reason they have been restricted seemed really unnecessary and didn’t seem to go against the Instagram guidelines. It’s really unfair to those who like Kevin James Thornton, have poured so much into creating a thriving community on these platforms only to have them “start again”. I wonder if TikTok is willing to amend some of their guidelines around their moderation system in order to protect their creators since they help to bring so many eyes to the platform.

OUTSTANDING post and comments here, all! Sean, absolutely agree with your point that “these are not new problems, they are just new in the number of and speed the information can reach people.”

Does it ultimately come down to accountability? To whom are social media companies accountable for establishing clear values and expectations, and then upholding them? What happens if they aren’t accountable or consistent in doing so? At what point is social media considered a utility that could be regulated? Lots to consider…

This is unbelievable to me. Kathryn’s post and your comment just sent me down a wormhole of reading articles about TikTok’s haphazard censorship. I still don’t understand how having the word “nazi” in your bio wouldn’t automatically get you banned… what alternative context is there? Based on my minimal understanding of algorithms, I can maybeee see how TikTok had to make some tweaks around BLM to ensure people who should be blocked were and vice versa (though apparently it’s still an issue: https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2021-09-16/fed-up-with-tiktok-black-users-are-moving-on)
But when TikTok programmers came together to discuss what should be censored (if that’s how it’s done), how was censoring the word nazi (or white supremacy) not an easy box to check, especially when used in a bio? Maybe they’ve figured that out by now… Not sure because I’m not on TikTok, and I’d hope the algorithm would know me better than to show that content but YIKES.

Katheryn, I totally agree with your comment on the possibility that a platform could lose its audience or advertisers because of the overzealous banning of creators. Do you think this is because of the origin of this social app? Does Tick Tok actually have defined values that makes it different from any other social platform that also has trolls string up trouble?

Also, I had no idea that there were trolls on Tick Tok just trying to instigate trouble in order to get someone banned. What a disheartening thought for someone to hate on another so much for some reason, they would go to lengths to make them look bad, and eventually banned.

A year or two ago, users on Tiktok claimed it had all of the style and grace of Instagram, but without the trolling. They touted that they had an inclusive environment that didn’t have the vitriol that normal social media platforms have. In the past few months though, it is becoming clear that this welcoming attitude when you arrive is a façade that can sometimes conceal a lot of hate. I recently watched a TikTok about a woman who did a social experiment on Tiktok, where she followed and liked anti-trans users and videos, and found that the platform started to recommend other types of hate videos like racist or anti-Semitist videos. Though the suggestion algorithm can be powerful, it can also be dangerous. Thanks Kathryn for the share!

This is interesting. This list does seem pretty outdated. You talked about Google+ which is essentially dead for the individual user. I didn’t even know ESPN allowed comments on their site. TikTok and Reddit should be there on video sites and forums. I honestly didn’t even know there was this many social media sites. As a company, it must be difficult to include all of these sites to its Code of Conduct. I wonder how they discover these sites; is it by word of mouth by employees or do they just find it online?

Interesting post Kathryn! First, I’ll say kudos to your company for its thoroughness – wow. I think it’s good they thought about this broadly, but it does make it a bit unrealistic to actually be able to sift through all of it and understand the policies set forth. Second, I imagine whoever came up with this list, tried to do so in a way that addressed “social media” in its most broad and basic form: a digital platform where people socialize and converse. At least, that’s the only way I can make sense of it in my brain. Given Chase is such a huge company, I imagine they just wanted to cover ALL the bases, even if it is silly to think about spreading company secrets through Farmville.

Lol at Farmville…

I agree, this is an extensive list and I think it’s more about them having all their bases covered. Agree with Mo about Reddit and TikTok..those are widely popular! Also many people ask about company culture on Reddit and that can definitely be a huge platform to unleash some dirt. Is this included in the recent FAQ? This raises the question of how often should a company update their Code of Conduct and the documents tied to it? Should they release every time there is a new platform? What if the platform is hugely popular at first then burns out and isn’t used ever again? It would definitely be interesting to see the actual factors that determine what is included

Wow Kathryn, this is quite intense of a list hahaha. But also, I can understand the reason why your company would want to cover as much bases as possible in the world of social media. Even though head-on we think of the holy trinity that you mentioned, all the websites mentioned in the list give some sort of social aspect. So while Facebook is inherently social, it makes sense that our Yelp reviews would be considered a social activity as well.

Kathryn, makes me wonder if the policy would benefit from an “includes, but not limited to….” introduction to this list along with a general definition of “social media.” You’re right–platforms come and go at such a rapid pace, it can feel nearly impossible to keep up with.

I sometimes like the convenience of QR code menus, but I think it depends on the establishment. For example, if it’s an order-at-the-counter, fast-casual spot, I think convenience is paramount, so they make sense. However, I agree that they can detract from the communal dining experience at sit-down restaurants. In addition to the connection between restaurant and diner, I think physical menus foster a more social dynamic with your dining companions…. It’s more natural to talk about which dishes catch your eye when you can point to them, versus everyone looking at their own little screens, which we already do too much of!

In COVID, I appreciate the efforts restaurants are taking to save paper and reduce physical touchpoints. Based on the experience users have in using the menu, they may look to download the mobile app. It’s easy to text or snap a picture of a signature menu item that may be of interest to a peer. If you have a QR code menu, it’s easy to package the user experience in one place, from customers selecting their menu item to even purchasing digitally. The receipt could either be emailed or texted for those who want a copy. Discounts and promotions are easy to include after that, building brand recognition. People may be looking at their mobile screens too much, but mobile devices offer new learning styles nowadays.

Thanks Kathryn! I think a lot of business, even if it looks better professionally, will keep any cost-cutting measures brought in by COVID that were ultimately successful, like QR codes or mobile check-ins. I think there are a lot of instances of where a COVID policy failed or was redundant, like not accepting paper money. But I like your perspective of the pro and con– the style of a menu was so iconic to the identity of a restaurant. The menu goes so far into defining the theme it’s hard to say that most restaurant’s website do a menu justice. A list of items on the screen still needs a lot of UX improvement before they can compare to the menus that most restaurants were using!

I understand why you may feel that way and in certain cases I would agree but I do think that the personality can be portrayed through the QR code as well. I do have to agree that restaurants need to invest more in the marketing of their menus online, I definitely think that they can take more advantage of the opportunities this platform has to offer and I cannot wait to see what developments take place in the future.

Great discussion here.

The QR code is Case A in a technical solution in search of a benefit. Sure QR codes were simpler than a URL, but the time saved scanning a code vs. typing a URL is minimal unless the URL is incredibly complicated (another design issue!).

The pandemic refined the “why” this tech can be valuable if physical media is no longer an option for whatever reason which leaves us with the “how” to deliver the best experience.

I agree that this isn’t going away, so why don’t restaurants, etc. put in the effort to craft the experience? Why do so many take the short path to linking the QR code to a PDF or a webpage that isn’t mobile optimized?

Personally I loved the use of QR code menus especially when we were in the heat of the pandemic. It made it convenient to still go to your favorite restaurant without the fear of touching a menu that many others has touched. I do believe that the QR code menu is here to stay as it is a cost-effective option to the paper menu. I do agree with Julia that with the increased use of these digital menus, that it also increases the time we spend on our phones instead of communicating with others at our table. Also it is hard to see some of the menu items unless you expand the image. I wonder how these digital menus could be optimized to beneficial for customers who may be visually impaired or even a way to make the menu more interactive for customers.

I hate the QR cod only because of the poor execution by restaurants. I do not want to scan a QR code an be taken to a PDF of your menu where I have to zoom around. I know UX isn’t top of mind in a restaurant, but in this case it should be.

Thanks for sharing this Kathryn! QR codes are definitely convenient, but they take away from the customer experience. I like going to a restaurant sitting down and being handed a menu full of personality, pictures and descriptions. It’s more personal. Now I sit down and the waitress just points to the center of the table and we’re supposed to know to scan. Although I am a big fan of physical menus, digital menus and QR codes could work if done correctly. As QR codes are most likely here to stay, it’s time to enhance the user experience. Most digital menus are black and white and just list the name of the food. Then customers have to go to Yelp to see pictures and reviews. With the technology we have now, digital menus should have a description, calories, possible modifications, pictures, and previous customer reviews. Restaurants need to start optimizing their menus. Making it memorable will keep customers coming back.

I actually prefer QR code menus to physical menus, though I do agree with Dan Martin above. Now that many restaurants have moved to QR code/digital menus, they should be thinking about UX in navigating those menus. Overall, I like not having to touch a menu that dozens of other people have been touching – and I felt that way even before the pandemic. I also am not one to spend time on my phone at the table in a restaurant, but I don’t see the QR codes as an issue. I just pull up the menu, choose what I want, and put my phone away. I’d be content if QR code menus stay prevalent, and I’m actually a bit excited to see if/how these digital menus can transform to something even cooler. I just hope they pay proper attention to UX and try to streamline this digital experience that seems like it’ll be around a while.

Defiantly appreciate the QR menu during this Covid times! I can also see why they could be a hit or miss! I personally don’t have a preference, but have had more “not so good” experiences with the QR menu then “good experiences”. Once I did not realize that my phone one on 1%, and just as the menu pulled up, my phone died. Twice I scanned the QR code, ordered my food, only for the server to tell me the dinner QR menu was on the other side of the paper… lets rescan the QR and take another ten minutes to look over the correct menu! Once I went to a restaurant that had poor internet reception, and the menu was not coming up for me! I had to beg the server to find a physically menu for me! I think it is a good digital idea, but perhaps one that could better (maybe have the QR code in the entrance of the restaurant so people can look at the menu before they sit down).

And despite the slide being from last year, I had every intention of attending that very screening. Ambler’s theater is part of a network of local independent cinemas that run all kinds of classic and art house events. if the dates don’t work in Ambler, there’s a good chance you can catch it in Doylestown or Jenkintown a week earlier / later.

And on a topic more relevant to the class, never underestimate the relevance of classic media. The details may change, but themes are sometimes more universal than you might realize. The fear in the 1960s may have been about the amount of power concentrated in the hands of a few, but there are clear parallels both in how power has accumulated in the hands of companies as well as what the mere possibility of that power existing “somewhere else” might inspire people to do.

The world of marketing and technology is inherently complex. It may be overly simplistic, but reframing it through something more accessible, like pop culture, is a tried and true way to help people process that complexity and find a foothold to begin to collaborate / discuss.

I welcome all metaphors and analogies if it helps advance the discussion!

This movie is such a classic – I had to rewatch this on Amazon Prime (I remember watching Dr. Strangelove as a rerun on my black and white tv in the 90’s)!! Stanley Kubrick productions always seem ahead of its time. Strange how this old movie can portray the relevance of today’s political culture!