Social Media and the Military

Why exactly is this important? 


"Social Media has become an increasingly vital tool for the Armed Forces in the 21st Century. Not only in order to reach out to a wider and younger audience globally for recruitment and information purposes but as a new front in warfare. What soldiers, airmen and sailors post online can be crucial to winning the hearts and minds of local populations, weakening the enemy’s narrative and as an instrument in the proliferation of cyber warfare. Therefore today’s warriors must be competent in all social media channels as well as aware of the inherent dangers they might be put in at home and on operations when posting online." - SMI, Linking Business with Information

According to the article I read, the military is placing an increasing amount of value upon social media. Social media sites, such as twitter, provide a direct link between soldiers and civilians that simply had not existed previously. Because of this, an entire conference was created that lasted over a two day period, complete with keynote speakers and activities, that explored the impact of social media on current military tactics. 

Sources

https://www.artillerymarketing.com/fs/how-the-defense-industry-is-using-social-media

https://www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/social-media-within-the-military-and-defence-sector#tab_speakers