Random Thoughts on Random Words - Day 19 Social Media

Social media has been hailed as a maverick tool or condemned as a social disrupter since its first arrival in 1997 when  Andrew Weinreich invented and introduced the social media site " Six Degrees". It is now evident that social media is here to stay, whether we like it or not. The advent of the internet has  brought drastic changes in lives and lifestyles of people in just a few years compared to the changes that  happened over a period of decades.

Social media has made it possible to share Ideas, thoughts and information through virtual networks and communities. Since the medium is electronic, the messaging is instantaneous. This is both its strength and weakness. As of 2020, 3.96 billion people were actively using social media in the world and there is an increase in its usage by 10.9% year-on-year. Instagram tops the list of leading social media sites with over 1 billion monthly users followed by You tube and other sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest  

Social media is being increasingly relied on by employers for sourcing their requirements, particularly professional sites like LinkedIn. In the days to come it is likely that face book will also be extensively used to ascertain true qualities/ nature  of prospective candidates as reflected in the casual moments and interactions. Social media is also being recognized as a useful tool for businesses to engage with customers and prospective customers and also boost the organization's website traffic. It provides the opportunity to not only share news about your company but also share articles and updates about your industry. This particularly happens on Twitter and LinkedIn where people network and look for specific industry related information. 

The advantage of social media is that it connects like minded people and to that extent members feel safe to express their views without the fear of being ridiculed. Social media users can create communities (by using hashtags) that align with their beliefs and provide support. We have seen how social media enabled many youngsters to pitch in by connecting and then physically engaging in relief operations during the Kerala floods , surprising elders who had the notion that the younger generation was self centered, elitist and not socially conscious. Similarly social media came to the support of persons who wished to raise their voice  during the "Me too" movement. Some powerful personalities in influential positions were called out because of  the unity and strength made available by social media.   

It was just the other day that I read about a young woman Seetha Lakshmi who took to face book to relate her woes of harassment. A divorcee and single mother of a  7 year old, she lives in a rented flat in a housing complex in Panambilly Nagar Kochi along with her mother, brother and daughter.  She is the sole bread winner of her family who works as a marketing and promotions professional for Malayalam movies. As it is, she was facing big economic challenges in view of the big blow caused by Covid 19 to the film industry.

It was only  recently that the state had decided to resume theatre screening of films and Seetha Lakshmi had just started becoming active again. But her neighbours and association officials playing moral police, restrained her  from returning back from work after 10 PM. Her job requires her to work long hours.On April 12th when she returned from work at 12 AM she was stopped by the security saying they had orders to stop her. She had to wait for one hour outside and then seek the help of the local police station to gain entry. Patriarchy finds it difficult to digest when a single woman is able to run her own affairs without help or support of men. Further to the FB post many netizens have come in support of the hapless gutsy lady. This is another instance how social media can point out and draw attention to the  wrong doings and ills in society. 

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/single-mother-kerala-blocked-home-neighbours-returning-late-work-147559     

Apart from the benefits of social media already discussed, it provides free lessons (on You tube, Facebook) on varied topics like a work out, cooking, music etc. breaks news faster than ever, provides safety check options to mark oneself "Safe" during calamities/ natural disaster, provides a global market place (on line shopping) and of course the most obvious and important benefit namely, gives everyone a voice! 

Given the fact that the social media provides the space for sharing personal information, videos and  photos, there is a chance for the same to be misused. Many engage in interaction anonymously. There has been instances of people becoming friends virtually and later finding that they were totally different from whom they had imagined the 'friend' to be. A 13  year old girl who was engaging with a 12 year old girl for months virtually was shocked to find on meeting in person that her 'friend' was a 45 year old man. Instances of stalking and  other criminal activities like embezzlement may be preceded by a friendship on social media. 

Another aspect to be kept in mind is that social media provides instant recognition and fame which may motivate young minds to indulge in dangerous and despicable activities. As for example many young people have been known to lose their lives while trying to take selfies from dangerous points like the top of a cliff or atop a train. There have been instances of school boys raping their classmate and then uploading the same on social media. " Oh anything for that moment of attention!" seems to be the policy these days! 

Another problem that we see in the times of social media is trolling. People happily sit behind their armour of anonymity and use such disgusting and shabby language that their forefathers would be shocked and ashamed about; they would probably have disowned such progeny,were they to be alive today! I remember writing a poem on the subject likening such specimens to those in earlier times, who used to write filth inside public toilets or the toilets in train compartments. They do not deserve  any more respect simply because it is being written today in a social media space.   

I would like to conclude this post by pointing out that social media is neither good or bad in itself. It all depends on how we use it. 'Fire' can be used to cook and  obtaining its  warmth on a cold wintry night. It can also be used to cause harm, destroy. It all depends on the user.  It is our responsibility to safeguard our interests while on social media. In this regard, major social platforms are also making changes to the way they sort and display content with a focus on  preserving privacy and humaneness in  relationships on line. I am sharing here my poem titled " Disciplined Celebration" in which I had compared the Diwali festival to social media. Both need to be celebrated but by exercising discipline and restraint to avoid major catastrophe.  https://rajeevianlinesandverses.blogspot.com/2016/10/disciplined-celebration.html       

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