How social are we on social media?

FE Team | Published: February 17, 2024 21:05:17

The world is at our fingertips, leading to a significant shift in the social sphere. Internet-based communication platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube have become integral parts of our lives. People are increasingly reliant on these sites due to the ease of communicating and gathering information online. However, with this dependence comes a rise in cybercrimes, bullying, and harassment, making social media, in many ways, anti-social.
Certain individuals exploit social media for their own nefarious purposes. Given that online platforms are now significant sources of income, some resort to deceptive tactics to extract money from users. They create various tempting traps online, manipulating emotions and easily resorting to online abuse.
Instances of defamation abound in the online world. Comments that would never be uttered in person are carelessly spoken by some on social media. Moreover, there are reports of social media being used to incite and organise anti-state and anti-national activities. Many individuals violating ethical standards engage in such criminal acts through social media.
A concerning trend is the discrepancy between interactions on social media platforms and real-life relationships. Tensions often arise due to misunderstandings fuelled by online interactions. Instances of misguided affection and creating distance between individuals through social media activities contribute to long-term depression.
Another issue is the excessive time minors spend on social media, particularly in the post-pandemic era. Children are becoming increasingly behaving in a way that is unsuitable for their age. They readily believe and engage in irrelevant and fake social media contents.
Moreover, disagreements or personal grudges often escalate into false propaganda and hatred on social media, leading to larger problems. While social media can be a powerful tool for creating awareness in society, its negative use can corrupt the entire nation. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the virtual and real world.
Nusrat Zahan,
Student, Department of English,
University of Dhaka