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Social Media

Refers to internet-based applications that allow people to create networks, in order to share or exchange information. In the context of environment, social media are relevant with regard to communication, awareness rising and capacity building (e.g. e-learning tools). 

Publications

Choosing the Right Visual for Social Media: Comparing the Engagement of Stock Photos Versus Natural Photos

WC444/AEC783by Anissa Zagonel, Lauri M. Baker, Jarred Shellhouse, Cheryl Boyer, Hikaru Peterson, and Aly MorrisonDecember 11, 2023Social media is an important piece of Extension outreach efforts. Across many different platforms, photos or graphics accompanying social media posts have repeatedly yielded greater results, in terms of engagement and success. Thus, it is imperative to include a visual element with each social media post because it would be considered a missed opportunity without one. This publication explores the question of whether stock images are as effective as natural images. Facebook posts from the Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement (CREE) team were analyzed to determine differences in engagement rates for stock images and natural images taken by the CREE team. Results indicate natural photos had significantly higher engagement rates than stock photos. Thus, it is recommended that content creators strive to create and use their own photos for posts; although, in times of need, a stock photo can produce better engagement than no photo at all.

Clickbait

WC453/AEC792by Nicole Patten, Ricky Telg, and Kevin KentApril 11, 2024This publication provides an overview of clickbait and its characteristics. The publication also discusses a few implications of clickbait use. Written by Nicole Patten, Ricky Telg, and Kevin Kent, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, March 2024.

Introduction to Youth Online Peer Support: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

FY1538/FCS3396by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. ForthunJanuary 30, 2024The purpose of this publication is to inform the reader about online friendships between teens, mental health and suicidality in teens, ideas for supporting a teen whose online friend discloses thoughts of self-harm and suicide, and the importance of safety and self-care. Written by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2024.

Introduction to Youth Online Peer Support: A Guide for Teens

FY1511/FCS3372by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. ForthunAugust 16, 2022This publication provides information about adolescent mental health and suicidality, ways that adolescents can provide empathetic support to a friend they met online, ways that adults can help, and the importance of self-care. Written by Angela Nielsen and Larry F. Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, August 2022.

Storytelling through Social Media

WC218/AEC556 by Brandon Telg, Jaron Jones, Ricky Telg, Becky Raulerson, and Olivia DoyleDecember 6, 2021A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Special Handling==

Streaming Science #4: Using Podcasts for Engagement with Your Target Audience

WC432/AEC771by Jamie Loizzo, Christine Krebs, Caroline Nickerson, Amy Vu, Phillip Stokes, Michaela Kandzer, Lara Milligan, and Shannon CarnevaleJune 15, 2023This is the fourth publication in the Streaming Science EDIS series focused on how to use mobile hardware and software for engagement with your target audience. The following article focuses on how to produce podcasts to share science-based information with adult audiences and engage listeners in conversations about agricultural and natural resources topics impacting their everyday lives. Educators, scientists, Extension professionals, and students at land grant universities and other organizations can cost effectively produce their own podcasts for niche audiences (Chivers et al., 2021; Rose et al., 2021; Beattie et al., 2020).

Using Social Media to Communicate about Mosquito Control

WC363/AEC700 by Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Ricky Telg, Phillip Stokes, Alena Poulin, Shelli Rampold, Angela B. Lindsey, and Sandra AndersonAugust 19, 2020

Related IFAS Blog Posts

When pricing produce to sell directly to consumers, farmers urged to know their costs

Brad BuckAugust 14th, 2024Instead of taking what the broker or retailer feels like paying, small- and medium-sized farmers who sell directly to consumers should track costs, determine what they want to earn and set their own produce prices, University of Florida experts say. Growers should base their prices on their costs, said Kim Morgan, a UF/IFAS associate professor […]

Learning about Youth Online Peer Support

Amanda QuintosFebruary 12th, 2024For better or for worse, the Internet has had profound effects on the ways that people connect. When I was younger, face-to-face interactions and phone calls with peers I saw at school or extracurricular activities largely shaped the landscape of my social life. Now, with a plethora of apps, platforms, and online forums, it has […]

Are you “Sharenting?”

Shari BresinFebruary 1st, 2024Have you heard of the term “sharenting?”  It’s when parents overshare information about their children online, from their name, school, birthdate, teacher, and so on.  The unfortunate consequence of this is that it makes it easy for identity thieves to use this information to their advantage.  And because kids aren’t taking out lines of credit […]