T.B. Honest

 Hello There, In order to understand the complicated online world that is social media, we must first understand the laws that govern online practices. Let's start with the basics, something every user (not just companies and social media specialists) should know: the Terms of Service. Let's face it, "I have read and accept the Terms of Service" is probably the most commonly told lie on Earth by now. If you could name a single condition that you agreed to on ANY of the social media platforms you use, I'd be shocked. Why? We've all seen that screen before, haven't we? Yes, we've all had an opportunity to read the terms and conditions but the majority of us scrolled on past that little opportunity to understand our rights as if reading it was a chore. Do you use Instagram or Snapchat? Did you know that Instagram and Snapchat technically own the content shared or created on their platforms? You didn't? Well, guess where you could have read about that!

Hello There My name is Tess Boegel and--full disclosure--I'm creating this blog as an assignment for school. The purpose of this blog is to act as an ongoing homework assignment for my Social Media Communications class. Now that sounds really, REALLY boring, and I've probably lost some of you there. That's ok. However, if you are interested in learning how social media algorithms gather information on their users, how big corporations market themselves to you using psychology, and how social media is changing more about our lives than we think; then maybe you should stick around.  But I should probably tell you a little bit about myself before we get into all of that.  I'm a Senior in College, majoring in English and double minoring in Communications and Creative Writing (because I just love having too much on my plate). I just got back from a study abroad trip in Prague.  (Above: Me, failing to pose for a picture) I'm the second oldest of four siblings. My older si