Positive and negative aspects of social media
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 25, 2025 -
WITHOUT effective follow-up measures by the law enforcement agencies, it could be safely stated that attempts to prevent misuse of the various social media platforms wouldn't bear fruit.
While it is understandable why the 'netizens' are swearing and cursing one another amid the on-going violence between the Kuki and Meetei communities, there must be a reason why the so-called keyboard warriors continue to ridicule and post disparaging comments against the government authorities as it is certain that social media influencers and administrators would be well aware about facing penal action, as and when apprehended.
Moreover, suave administration, friendly disposition towards the people and ability to prevent outbreak of unwanted incidents would definitely help curb propagation of misinformation against the government through the social media platforms.
It is equally important that the government facilitate the communities to take decisions for their future and well-being, and strive for safeguard of culture, social practices, religion, etc.
All efforts must also be made to ensure that there is no fresh violence and escalation of tension, and government machinery intervene immediately to address outstanding problems and give emphasis on bringing early achievement of genuine solutions acceptable to all.
As Manipur is home to a number of communities, each having own set of religious and social beliefs and practices, it is the government authorities who shall have to exhibit maturity rather than branding every detractor as anti-national and anti-establishment.
Though misuse of social media platforms with the intention to fuel ethnic tensions or pass derogatory remarks to settle personal score is uncalled for, such isolated incidents should not be the reason to impose restrictions against internet users, as experienced intermittently whenever there is instability in law and order.
Accepted that some unruly elements have been using social media to air disenchantment and spew venom against the establishment, but such instances cannot be the pretext to deny the citizens gain access to internet facilities, which of late has become an inseparable part of life.
While there is palpable fear that the social media sensation has gone too far and it encourages dangerous behaviours and exacerbates tensions between groups, the fact that use of social media can also bring about positive social change cannot be undermined.
Restricting access to social media will definitely constrict its potential for positive social change as it is being increasingly used by the younger generation and marginalised groups to tell their desires and woeful tales, access information on sensitive as well as productive issues, apart from providing the opportunity to the establishment to reach greater numbers of people and make them comprehensively aware about developmental initiatives and benefits of welfare schemes.
Nevertheless, the government should not be lenient against those responsible for posting cynical comments aimed at fanning social discord in the midst of a critical phase that Manipur is passing through at the juncture.
With increasing misuse of the social media platforms like Youtube, X (formerly twitter), facebook and instagram in the state, it is understandable that chief minister N Biren has cautioned social media influencers and administrators of social media pages to take utmost care and not to misuse social media unnecessarily.
Rather, whenever there is instance of misuse of social media platforms with the intention to create upheaval in the multi-ethnic society, the government should promptly instruct the law enforcement agencies to take firm and immediate actions so as to assert law of the land.
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