One of the cool things about social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook is the fact you can keep up with all your favorite celebrities and athletes among other notable famous people (if your into that kind of stuff). It's one thing when you just follow your favorite person on Twitter or even get an accepted Friend Request on Facebook. However, there are certain rules of etiquette of what you don't do to these people. Let's face it there is a fine line between being "friends" and crossing the line into stalker or some other amount of ridiculous territory or as I call it, being a line stepper.
On Twitter it seems that since it is so easy to follow someone (unless they are paranoid of becoming too popular like me and only allow people to follow them through approval) that the interactions between fan and celebrity are happening on daily basis due to retweets, mentions, etc. Sometimes this can be cool such as UFC President Dana White who is famous for interacting with fans, giving away tickets, and tweeting during fights. Other times, people can cross into line stepping territory and seemingly blast athletes and celebrities esp. if its over something as stupid as not seeing a picture that Kim Kardashian posts on her account.
One of the main problems with Facebook and athletes has been in regards to college recruits or athletes. Mention the name Mark Hamilton anywhere within the vicinity of Central KY and you hear a lot of groans along with some few curse words. Why? (in case you didn't click on the link) because Mark crossed the line in a major way and ended up as a major blemish in UK fan/player relations. Another way fans are reaching out are by actually recruiting high school athletes through being accepted on their profile or even sending messages, to come to their favorite college. The sad part is the ones doing this aren't even around the same age or even college kids, but grown adults in their 40's and 50's who have taken up the cause.
I'm not one to name drop, but I count Forrest Griffin, Ryan Bader, Erin Calipari as my friends on Facebook. I've talked to all 3 of them, the first two regarding UFC fight chats/comments they had going on at the time and Erin because she commented on this sweet picture of me and my snuggie.
My conclusion for this rant is simple, if you want to become "friends" with your favorite athlete or celebrity on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter, that's one thing. Do realize that when you have that connection however, that the person on the other side is someone too and having access to write to them directly does not give you the privilege of ripping into them and being an internet tough guy, or as I put it, being a habitual line stepper
The interesting thing, besides the fashion-forward photo of you, is that, in my observation, it is through such rants that social norms about online behavior (aka etiquette) get created, communicated, and enforced.
ReplyDeleteI felt like this was something worth writing about because one of the blogs I go to (KSR) it mentioned recently again about how the line gets crossed. The incident that happened last year with Mark Hamilton ripping on one of the KY Basketball players on his facebook page was crazy. People found out where he worked, lived, etc. and just spammed him along with harassed him to "get even." Though the guy deserved it, two wrongs don't make a right.
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