Negative Impacts Of Social Media


It is commonly addictive and provides a tool for stalking children.

Social media is used by extremists in the Middle East and elsewhere to solicit and brainwash recruits.

And it exposes us and our friends to unsavoury spying.

We may leave our lights on in the house when we are on vacation, but through social media, we tell criminals who may want to rob us exactly where we are, when we plan to return home and how to blackmail us.

No spy agency or criminal organisation could actively gather the type of data that we voluntarily post for them.

Social media is fast changing the aspirations and values of our youth.

New generation is getting so engaged with social media that they spend hardly any time with their elders.

They are more interested to know what's happening in their fave star's life rather than their own family.

They never falter in updating their 'status' or 'recent activity'.

For family, they don't have time.

It is being apprehended by sociologists and other observers that face-to-face interaction will diminish soon mainly due to these 'killer' technologies.

Studies have shown that social media is actually hampering people's ability to interact in an offline setting.
But those who adopt it as the only medium fail to develop social competency.

The quality of relationships and the strength of connections are weakening.

Failed relationships and broken bonds.

Social media, undoubtedly, brings people together.
Divorces have increased by nearly 20% due to social media sites.

A site that connects old friends, allows users to make new ones as well.

'flirt' not knowing where it would lead.

unfortunate rise of cyber bullying;

a social concern that has taken previous forms of harassment to an altogether new level.

A huge majority of social networkers share personal pictures and information which can be misused.

Nevertheless, the problem arises when its use becomes excessive and people become its addicts.

Social media is a trap that entangles our youngsters who get so much involved in it that it becomes a primary way of their interactions.

Now, they prefer to contact through social media.

They meet each other in educational institutions and discuss the data uploads.

While chatting with their friends, they forget their other important activities and responsibilities.

This is just the wastage of precious time.



Recommendations

This growing peril demands a swift action from those at the helm of affairs as well as from civil society.

Surely, a crackdown against social media, like in case of Youtube, won't be a wise option.

Unlike Gulf States, where courts have sentenced people for dissent on social media, we need a crackdown against these fake profiles.

Facebook and Twitter may be asked to link user accounts on these sites to mobile numbers used in Pakistan by these users.

It would remove the anonymity and facelessness from these warriors and at least they would realize that their real identities are known to everyone
and they will have to face the music for their 'shares'.

All the political parties and their leadership should tighten their filter against fake profiles and abusive posts.

Political parties especially need to denounce and condemn in clear words any such e-Brigades that are tarnishing their names as well.
It is their responsibility to cultivate in their workers a sense to abide by the moral and ethical values and societal norms while professing their political agendas.


Moreover, as a society we need to teach our youth that argumentation doesn't imply fighting rather
it's a constructive debate based on empirical evidence, objective analysis and logical reasoning.

We also need to realize the implications of 'sharing' a post without checking its authenticity.

Social media and internet are meant to be a boon. Let us not make it a bane for our society.

Social media has become such an important part of our society that using it in a negative way will only set us back.
It has enhanced online communities.

The future of social media is still unknown.
We, as a society, can still control the situation.

We must push forward and continue to incorporate social media in more positive ways.