By: Lalit Nath
Social media is a dynamic and engaging digital platform that enables users to create, share and exchange information, ideas, and content. Popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, among others. These platforms provide users with the means to communicate interact and collaborate through various forms of media, such as literature, images, videos, and audio. Over the past two decades, social media has brought about a revolutionary change in how we connect and exchange information with the world around us. From Facebook to Twitter, Instagram to TikTok, these platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives.
One of the most significant advantages of social media is that it democratizes information and empowers marginalized communities to assert their rights. Traditional media was controlled by a limited number of people who often ignored the voices of the public, maintaining the power dynamics. However, social media provides an opportunity for oppressed, persecuted and deprived individuals to share their problems and assert their rights. For example, the ‘Me Too’ and ‘Black Lives Matter’ movements. ‘Me Too’ is a social movement against sexual harassment that started in 2017 and ‘Black Lives Matter’ is a social movement founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi. This movement was a response to racism, police brutality and violence against the Black community. These movements have shown the transformative impact of social media in organizing grassroots communities and driving meaningful change.
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Through social media, people can learn about current events, scientific discoveries and various educational topics. Platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn Learning offer free and affordable educational content. This allows users to acquire new skills and expand their knowledge base.
Additionally, social media helps combat misinformation by providing factual content and enabling users to verify information through reliable sources. During times of crisis, social media is considered an invaluable asset for fostering global solidarity and cooperation. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook play a crucial role in building global solidarity and cooperation during human crises. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, online community initiatives, virtual support groups and crowdfunding campaigns emerged, demonstrating the power of social media to unite people in support of collective efforts. The goal of social media is to facilitate communication and connectivity between individuals and communities through digital platforms. Its objectives include building relationships, sharing information and creating and promoting content.
However, it is often observed that personal posts, such as vacation trips, new car purchases and food preparations, dominate social media rather than informative posts. Some users have turned social media into a platform for displaying their distorted tastes and wealth. A few unscrupulous individuals do not hesitate to upload obscene videos and photos to spread excitement. In such a scenario, intellectuals seem to distance themselves from these platforms. Nevertheless, the remarkable advancement of Android phones has rapidly overshadowed landline phones, radios, VCDs, TVs, etc., and is now beginning to overshadow books, newspapers, and magazines. Our daily lives are so enmeshed in the internet that escaping from it seems impossible. A survey has highlighted that Facebook is the most popular social media platform, with a growing number of users. Facebook authorities need to approve 2.94 billion individuals for using Facebook each month. In such a scenario, it is essential for intellectuals to participate in constructive discussions and contribute valuable content on these platforms to transform Facebook into a more organized and reputable medium. In this regard, policymakers play a crucial role in regulating the platform to ensure its ethical standards remain intact and users’ privacy is protected. By implementing transparency, accountability and legislation, the government can make the platform beneficial for the public while safeguarding against potential harms. Let us all use the vast potential of modern technology, specifically social media, to build a progressive society. (The author can be reached at lalitnath784@gmail.com)
