Smart Social Media
- Online Safety and Security
- Sharing Your Fulbright Experience Online
- Submit to Fulbright’s channels
Online Safety and Security
The U.S. Department of State provides the following guidance regarding online safety and security:
- Do not broadcast movements. Be aware of applications (apps) and programs that track and/or publish your current location without your consent or knowledge. Consider waiting to share photos and stories until after you have left a location.
- Do not post everything. Private information, such as your email address, residency or phone number, may not need to be shared with anyone, much less everyone.
- Use caution when new or unknown individuals ask to become connections.
- Use and check security settings. Security settings are helpful but not fail-proof.
- Protect passwords. Use strong password practices to help prevent people from hacking your accounts and change your passwords regularly.
- Respect the privacy of others--Ask other people for permission before using their names or publishing their photos, as they may have their own reasons for not wanting a public profile.
- Respect local laws and customs. While freedom of speech and expression is strongly protected in the U.S., please be aware of local laws in your host country. What is legally protected or deemed culturally acceptable in the United States (or, more specifically, on the Internet in the United States) may not be received similarly overseas.
Sharing Your Fulbright Experience Online
While participants in all U.S. Department of State-sponsored academic exchange programs, including the Fulbright Program, have full academic and artistic freedom to write, publish and create, you are also expected to maintain a standard of conduct that is in keeping with the intent of the Fulbright Program.
It is important to engage in ways that are respectful of the local culture and context, and to follow local laws, which will differ from those in the United States. If you intend to maintain an active online presence during your exchange, it is important to educate yourself regarding potential pitfalls—your Fulbright Commission or the U.S. Embassy in your host country can help to provide specific direction.
Each country will have its own regulations and recommendations – it is critically important that Fulbrighters understand this context because failure to comply with social media expectations may impact your ability to complete your Fulbright grant. In some countries, having an active presence on social media is not possible, in others it is discouraged, and many have specific topics or content that should not be featured. It is your responsibility to understand the rules, regulations, and guidance in your host country.
Blogging: For any personal blogs or websites with content related to your program, please include a disclaimer (suggested language below):
“[This site/blog (enter site’s title and address)] is not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of [its author/insert name here] and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations.”
Press: During your grant, you may be asked to speak with local press about your experiences and perspectives. You are not required to speak to the press. If you would like to speak to the press, here are some basic guidelines for making use of media and press while you are on your grant:
- You can always say no. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to the media and press for ANY reason, simply say no.
- If you wish to speak to media and press, but you are concerned about certain privacy issues (you don’t want to have your face shown or your last name used), we can work with you and the news outlet to try and accommodate your needs.
- Please keep in mind that your remarks could have both positive and negative impact on your school, mentor teacher and the Fulbright Program so try to be constructive in all you say and stress that you are speaking not in an official capacity but from your own perspective.
- When in doubt, contact your Program Officer. They will be able to assist you with in-country media and press.
- Let us know if you receive media placement -- we love keeping track of how your grant is going, and we often feature your interviews, stories, etc. via our social media platforms.
Submit to Fulbright’s channels
The Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Institute of International Education have a variety of websites and social media accounts that regularly feature stories from Fulbrighters in the field. The U.S. Department of State has provided a Fulbright Social Media Guide outlining Fulbright’s official accounts and social media best practices.
You can share your photos and captions through our content uploader form or via email to socialmedia@fulbrightmail.org. Your story may be featured on Fulbright’s social media, web platforms, or other promotional materials.