The Philippine Army wants the use of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts regulated among its troops.
It recently released a handbook that sets relevant protocols for Army soldiers going online.
Dubbed as one of the world's social networking havens, there is no stopping the rise of social media in the Philippines.
Statistics as early as two years ago showed that the number of Facebook and Twitter users in the country was considered incredibly high compared to other countries.
In Facebook alone, one in every four Filipinos has an account.
Its growth rate is seen to increase steadily, with an estimated five Filipinos opening a Facebook account every minute.
For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, social media or cyberspace in general, is both a tool and a battleground.
Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, Philippine Army Spokesman, said that, when even "terrorist groups are already on social media, we also have to be on social media."
But just like in any battle, the military wants its men to be ready.
And the 85,000-strong Philippine Army is taking the lead in educating their men on how to act responsibly online.
Just this week, the Army rolled out its social media handbook, the first of its kind in the AFP, which aims to educate the troops on the proper protocol when using social media, whether with private accounts or accounts for a particular unit or command.
The handbook covers an extensive array of online platforms, from blogs to social networking sites to instant messaging services.
Every soldier will be educated on both the advantages and disadvantages of social media, and how that can affect how they carry out their daily mission.
The Facebook account of an Army Battalion can interact with netizens on how to improve the security of a community.
But a group of soldiers, for example, on a drinking spree with their uniforms on, could also spell disaster for the Army.
Location notifications in certain mobile applications could also compromise operations unless the soldiers will be prudent in using social network accounts.
The Army will prioritize the distribution of the handbook to its field units, and make it the subject of weekly troop information and education or TINE activities.
Regulating the use of social media, the Army says, should instill in its troops the discipline expected of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.