The numbers are in, and as you might have expected, 2009 was a banner year for social media. According to the Nielsen Company, consumer usage of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter increased by 82 percent. In fact, consumers spent over six hours per month on Facebook, or more than three times the amount of time spent on Google.
Many lawyers give short shrift to the growing importance of social media, which is mistake. As described in this article excerpted from an upcoming book that I co-authored with Nicole Black, lawyers should keep in mind these three themes when they approach social media:
3. Use of social media does not transform otherwise appropriate conduct into something unethical, but nor does it insulate unethical conduct.
Take a look at the full article for more detail on these three themes. And if you're interested in learning more about social media, consider these additional resources:
Mashable - Premier online site for social media, packed full of demographic information, trends and how-to guides.
Social Media Law Student - Don't let the fact that this site is run by students and young lawyers deter you - this blog covers social media issues related to lawyers, judges and the legal system at large, and includes some product reviews of social media tools.
Social Media Today - Focusing on how businesses implement social media.
Web Strategist - Though focused on business use of social media, detailed discussions and statistics at this site make it a great educational resource for lawyers on intelligent use of social media.
AllTop - Social Media - Top social media stories aggregated in one place.
Many lawyers give short shrift to the growing importance of social media, which is mistake. As described in this article excerpted from an upcoming book that I co-authored with Nicole Black, lawyers should keep in mind these three themes when they approach social media:
- Social media is not a fad or a frivolity but a paradigm shift sweeping both the legal profession and society at large;
3. Use of social media does not transform otherwise appropriate conduct into something unethical, but nor does it insulate unethical conduct.
Take a look at the full article for more detail on these three themes. And if you're interested in learning more about social media, consider these additional resources:
Mashable - Premier online site for social media, packed full of demographic information, trends and how-to guides.
Social Media Law Student - Don't let the fact that this site is run by students and young lawyers deter you - this blog covers social media issues related to lawyers, judges and the legal system at large, and includes some product reviews of social media tools.
Social Media Today - Focusing on how businesses implement social media.
Web Strategist - Though focused on business use of social media, detailed discussions and statistics at this site make it a great educational resource for lawyers on intelligent use of social media.
AllTop - Social Media - Top social media stories aggregated in one place.
