Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

There’s no balance and check on the abusive language which has ventured deep into the consciousness of young minds and proven the FRANKENESTIEN SYNDROME right*

By Mir Shahid

Human beings have thrived through various attributes and experimental trials to better their lives. They have consistently developed new and innovative ways to harmonize the balance between demand and supply, leading to dynamic and widespread changes in societal functioning, resulting in a compassionate society where every participant enjoys a life worth living. The industrial revolution and economic ascendency are a manifestation of such creativity. Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

The present world order runs beyond imagination and thrives on a different world, the world of the internet. It is a relatively new phenomenon that has quickly captured space. Initially, the internet remained busy simplifying government matters and remained strictly under their control, until taken into private hands. Since then, it has widened its horizons to a range of matters dealing with security, like defense, intelligence, and communication. The significance of the internet in today’s world is such that “computer” has become a daily necessity for the young generation. On the one side, the orientation has changed its course for social media platforms with entries of Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Telegram, etc., where individuals have created a new world in itself.

Social media has developed through the aid of the internet, with one platform for different individuals, regardless of their country or society of origin, to meet regularly in a single push of a button. It provides the space for personal account creation and subsequent interaction with friends (social media members) from every nook and corner of the world. That is to say, whoever possesses an internet connection to a tablet or cell phone can eagerly participate in the technologically created massive world. This world is a different place where passports and visas have no meaning to meet people from different countries. It is not strange that such a platform has consistently gained much avidity among the young generation, who take it as a mode for blowing away the cobwebs. In fact, the platform has educational value, thanks to page creation like research, civil service, UNESCO, newspapers, news channels, etc., which update the latest information to keep the atmosphere warm and enjoyable. There is no quibble about the success of social media in empowering the youth to engage on different levels, like enjoying classes while at home, participation in group discussions, employment news, and group formation for essential purposes, to mention a few. However, this trend has its impacts on the fertile and young minds of our future.

The ubiquitous presence of social media in today’s world has certainly brought about numerous benefits, but it is important to acknowledge its negative impacts as well. As the saying goes, “Excess of everything is bad,” and this sentiment certainly applies to our love affair with social media.

While social media provides a platform for individuals to create personal accounts and interact with friends from around the world, it also leaves the door open for manipulation and moral degradation. Recent news reports have highlighted instances of individuals using social media to scam and deceive others, leading to a loss of conscience and consciousness in society. The lack of checks and balances on abusive language has seeped into the consciousness of young minds, proving the “Frankenstein Syndrome” to be true. Private chat and inbox feature further exacerbate the potential for negative impacts on impressionable young minds.

On the flip side, social media has also provided a platform for radical ideologies to flourish, with skilled agencies recruiting young minds to further their goals. Separatist tendencies have mushroomed, with the rise of radicalism attributed to social media in places like Kashmir, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Drug and human trafficking have also utilized social media to evade security agencies and plan their operations. The propagation of rumors and propaganda is another downside, which can endanger lives and break the peace and harmony of society.

Despite its ability to keep users up to date on recent happenings, social media has been known to improvise dishonesty and lies, leading to the degradation of the spirit and commitment of youth. Exam results and preparation strategies have taken a backseat to rumors and guesswork, further eroding the values of honesty and commitment.

It is imperative to remember the words of the famous quote, “Reward of a person’s work isn’t what he gets from it but, what he becomes by it”. While social media provides a gateway to a new world of innovation and joyous living, its worst end involves the erosion of our moral and ethical values, which are the foundation of our future society. The current state of social relations is governed by a general belief in the degradation of these values. Social media is often accused of contributing to this decline, particularly in terms of its impact on the conscience of the youth, who are the bedrock of our future society.

The solution does not lie in the abolition of social media, but in the way it is operated and utilized. The platform must be used in a more positive and balanced manner to improve our worth and credentials. If the 21st century man is unable to distinguish between right and wrong, the future of humanity appears bleak. While sceptical about the possibility of change, there is still hope that we can take proactive steps to mitigate the negative impact of social media and create a better future for ourselves and our society.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine. The author can be reached at [email protected]