safety - Social Media Week New York (SMWNYC) - MAY 4

Durex at Social Media Week: Connecting Couples With ‘Real Sex’ Conversations

Posted on February 19, 2014July 11, 2014 by Nicky Yates

Does your partner really know you? Do you tell each other what really turns you on, or what bedroom maneuvers you’ve always wanted to try? Chances are, you haven’t, and you’re not alone. As a nation, we shy away from real pillow-talk with our closest companion, preventing us from going further in the bedroom. Even with constant exposure to sexual content in pop culture and 24/7 access to porn, sex remains one of the most taboo topics of conversation amongst couples. Durex®, a global sexual wellbeing brand, believes everyone should have a healthy and emotionally fulfilling sex life and knows regular communication is key to having great sex. This year, the brand wants to rid the taboos around ‘sex talk’ by encouraging couples to initiate the conversation in the bedroom.

In line with this mission, Durex has created a hub of online tips and videos to help couples talk about sex and their relationships in a healthy way; from sharing what you want in bed to an online fantasy finder for couples to ‘sexplore’ with one another. Durex has also explored the role technology plays in communicating with our loved ones. Given social media has revolutionized how we access everything in our lives, it comes as no surprise that it has impacted and intruded upon our relationships. A recent survey by Durex found that while technology has us using our hands more than ever, all that smartphone tapping has overtaken real touch between couples . When asked what methods they most frequently use to talk to their partner, 77 percent answered using their smartphone, with only 19 percent regularly communicating through touch. Based on these findings, Durex challenged couples to turn off their phones and focus on turning on their partner over the Valentine’s Day Weekend by discovering the Language of Touch.

Building on this, Durex is partnering with Cindy Gallop, founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn.com, to trigger this much-needed conversation at New York Social Media Week, on February 20, 2014. The afternoon session will explore topics including the future of the sex world and what it means for innovators and marketers. The session will also look at the ways that media and entertainment are propagating unrealistic portrayals of sex and how this negatively impacts society, and could be a barrier to real-sex conversations between couples. Representatives from these industries, including Aurore Trepo, Marketing Director for Durex, will discuss how everyone has a part to play in inspiring healthier representation of real sex in the media.

There is a lot to learn from the event itself, but also from our sponsor. Durex has repeatedly created sharable content with viral tendencies to trigger and inspire that all important conversation. To be part of the conversation with Durex and Cindy Gallop at SMW, register here and follow us @Durex_USA and www.facebook.com/durexUSA.

My Social Media Habits in Developing Countries

Posted on February 16, 2014July 11, 2014 by Vilma Sierra

When I first moved to the US, Facebook and Twitter were only available via the web. But once social media was available on our phones; I got used to uploading, checking in, tweeting or updating my status while I was living inside the United States.

But during my first trip back to my home city, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in 2008, I experienced a different story. How I was going to try to utilize social while I was walking in the streets of one of the most dangerous city?

I had to battle my habit of updating and posting pictures from my city while I was walking in the streets — since updating your status or checking into places could reveal my location to kidnappers or thieves. I was only able to post pictures at my house or any other safe location. I took a lot of precaution while I was visiting my hometown, since I don’t put a lot of faith in social media privacy settings, particularly on Facebook.

Whenever I was visiting touristic sites, this was not a problem. However, once I was back in San Pedro Sula, my fear to expose my cellphone or share information on social networks started again.

My trip took place six years ago, and I still question various social media companies and smartphone manufactures if they are doing something about social media and digital usage in developing countries.

Perhaps, social media and smartphones have been able to established and fit everyone’s life in developed countries by being able to use social media safely.

But is still different story in some developing countries, as many kill each other for any smartphone. I must admit that it might not be social media and cellphones companies’ responsibility to combat this issue. Although, I believe they could contribute with plans or campaigns for these countries’ governments in order to educate people about safe usage of different social media networks and smartphones.

What You Really Need To Know About Privacy on Facebook (Infographic)

Posted on January 9, 2014July 11, 2014 by Nicky Yates

With the scope of NSA surveillance unveiled and an focus on curbing digital abuse, taking a good look at our privacy and security is increasingly common. With Facebook remaining the lad for American user engagement for a SINGLE web site (it rakes in around 6.75 hours per user per month — which seems a bit low to most of us…), do we really know what we need to about our privacy on the site? We spend a considerable amount of time there, and that means we’re revealing info to the company and their partners — and to people we may not even realize have access.

This is a topic we’ll be looking at during SMW14, particularly in regard to teens. We’re bringing in researcher and expert danah boyd to open up the conversation. danah’s research focuses on the intersection of technology, society, and policy. For the last decade, she has examined how American youth incorporate social media into their daily practices in light of different fears and anxieties that the public has about young people’s engagement with technologies.

So, before you join us and danah for a deeper look in February, here are some stats and some recommendations to keep you safe and get you started.

Source: BestComputerScienceSchools.net