One of the contemporary ways of expressing oneself or speaking out for others is via the internet and internet enabled social media platforms. The advantages of the internet in the dissemination of fast and real time information, news and entertainment are too numerous to be listed. Internet blogging and social media influencing has also provided employment for thousands of people but it has also been grossly abused. Internet bullying and cyberstalking is now a matter of very grave concern. Basking in the euphoria of freedom of expression or speech, online or internet bullies and social media tigers, e-keyboard warriors routinely but ignorantly rant and disparage the reputation and integrity of others.
All in the name of freedom of speech, people of all ages and mostly young people now hide behind social media platforms (WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Messenger etcetera) and blogs to bully, intimidate and molest others who try to express contrary opinions. The point being made here is that one can speak strongly but respectfully. Truth is courage but discretion remains the better part of valour.
Social media is like an unregulated Football competition where too many players from different clubs are involved. If you call the social media a jungle, you are right. The good, the bad and the ugly abide therein.
Social media is governed by internet secrecy and autonomy or independence. On the social media, every account holder is equal and can create any form of content on any issue whatsoever, except where community standard is strictly involved. Social media has many advantages but it can also be ruinous.
Social media can be addictive and can produce harmful consequences on the individual, the family and society at large. Social media has reduced the most serious of things as content or cruise.
MIT Professor Sherry Turkle, in her book titled ALONE TOGETHER: WHY WE EXPECT MORE FROM TECHNOLOGY AND LESS FROM EACH OTHER addressed how social media is changing us for the worse. She pointed out the following-
(1) “One of the most oft-overlooked impact of social media is the effect it has on the way we view authority figures. The Internet is the great equalizer—everyone has a voice. Now everyone has a platform to speak their mind, say their piece. After any blog article or any news story, a person can write their own opinion and their own comments. And certainly, much of this is good. But it can also lead to an “egalitarian” view of authority; that no one person’s opinion should be valued or weighted anymore than another’s”
(2) Lack of Physical Presence. “People readily admit they would rather leave a voicemail or send an email than talk face-to-face…. The new technologies allow us to ‘dial down’ human contact, to titrate its nature and extant”. (3) Low Commitment/Accountability. One of the attractive features of a Facebook-style of communication is that it requires very little of us.
It is a low-commitment and low-accountability type of interaction. We control—and entirely control—the duration, intensity, and level of contact. At any moment, we can simply stop.
Social media has whittled down family life. Family is everything. The home is the first and most lasting impressionistic learning ground.
A person raised in love will have compassion as a lifetime companion. Social media has turned many into monsters and conscienceless souls. Because of social media, many do not have time for family, friends and well-wishers.
A person raised in strife and hostilities does not know love and can hardly give love. Nemo dat quod non habet. Social media has reduced the physical contact, bonding and affinity that characterise African persons.
It is part of the kindred spirit of the Nigerian to exchange visits and check up on loved ones but social media is fast destroying all those. Social media is not a substitute for family life. Updates on family is not a substitute for family bonding including public display of affection.
With the advent of social media, married men and women alike are either too ashamed or not proud to be seen in public with their wives or husbands.
A number of people including, public figures, have zero family life. Even when together, many are alone because of social media.
Lest we forget, children raised in hostility and without family love are mostly the ones that have turned violent criminals, fraudsters and internet bullies.
No child or adult who has a father, mother, uncle, aunt or relation he or she respects, adores or loves and has physical contact with will be willing to be an internet hooligan or aberrant anti-social character. McMillen Health, a non-profit organization identified the dangers the social media pose to physical health as including but not limited to sedentary behaviours which means spending time seated or inactive.
Relaxing is important, but so is regular exercise and body movement; less sleep; social media addiction; cyberbullying which is verbal or social bullying through instant messaging, social gaming sites, email, texting, or social media; missing out on face-to-face relationships; normalizing risk-taking behaviours; harmful to mental well-being and scams; and exposure to inappropriate content. Social media has benefits too.
Some of these include connecting with family and friends; building relationships with peers; practicing social skills; finding community, learning about and supporting important causes.
The overall lesson therefore is that what cannot happen on social does not exist. The fear of social media ills remains the beginning of wisdom in this day and age of intellectual rigour. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD.
A new normal is possible!
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Prof Obiaraeri, N. O.
