Michigan watching their student athletes profiles on social media sites

     Many companies today are asking to be “friends” with their employees via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. There has been some controversy with this approach; some feel it is an invasion to personal privacy. Employers want to be sure that their employees are not destroying the face of their company with written words or statements. Certainly both perspectives have some valid points, however from a Public Relations standpoint it is viewed by most as a smart decision. Some businesses are now even asking interview candidates for permission to be able to view their Facebook page during interviews. Recently the University of Michigan has been in the middle of the media when athletic director Dave Brandon said that the athletic department had a fake online persona befriend players. He defended their actions saying it was with the goal to teach the student-athletes a lesson on the dangers of online relationships for athletes. Since the recent statement people have been commenting on Michigan’s actions; many feel Michigan is “catfishing” their athletes. Catfishing is when someone pretends on social media to be someone they are not. They have received great criticism for their approach.

     If I were the President of the school or in a high ranking position I too would request that my players be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. As a company, school, or organization those that represent you create an image to the public of who you are. This school has done nothing wrong. Representatives involved in the situation have said “We’re real. [Catfishing is] someone faking an identity. When we Facebook them, they see me; they see pictures of my wife and kids. The men and women who work for us (some of whom are interns) use their own real profiles to do the social media research. As long as the company isn't deceiving their trainees or sharing the information they learn publicly (or using it to humiliate their trainees during a social media training class), the term ‘catfishing’ seems totally misplaced,”

     Michigan has done a great job of responding to the controversy by first identifying what catfishing is. They have succeeded in communicating their objectives to the public. They have made it clear why they are doing what they are doing. They simply hope that their athletes become aware of the problems that exist. One idea that may really help the University would be having some student-athletes comment regarding the situation to help the public realize that there are no hard feelings between the school and the players.