Isn’t it time to regulate the looseness of social media?
Chiranjeevi Nepal
Advocate
Today’s era is the era of science and technology. With the miracle of science, the unprecedented development of technology and the process of globalization, the whole world has turned into a single village. Social networks like Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram, and X (Twitter) have become an integral part of people’s lives. Moreover, people have become addicted to it in such a way that now a situation is being created that they cannot live without it.
Various forms of social media have contributed greatly to freedom of expression, access to information, exchange of knowledge and promotion of business. Therefore, along with science, knowledge should also be taken forward simultaneously. As Balakrishna Sama said, ‘Knowledge and science should join hands in action’.
But this unprecedented development of science and technology has not only contributed positively to social development, but has also caused serious negative effects.
In recent times, the looseness, indecent speech, rudeness, abuse, and misuse of personal freedom seen on social media have crossed the limit. Social media has also become a medium to express anger and frustration. It is also seriously affecting the peace, security, and peace of the society. Therefore, it has become necessary to regulate and monitor social media effectively in time.
With the use of social media, its misuse is also increasing at an alarming rate. Among the major distortions seen on YouTube channels, Facebook pages, and TikTok Live, the main one is the race to earn cheap popularity. Most digital content creators seem to prefer how to go viral faster than to break the society and present quality and creative content. In the name of increasing views, likes and subscribers, the tendency to spread hatred on the basis of religion, caste and community and to broadcast indecent content without considering social norms and general morality has increased.
Social media has become a means of attacking the personal lives of others, making allegations without evidence, making unnecessary comments about cases pending in court, personal abuse and character assassination. Especially women, artists and politicians are the victims of this. In some cases, such activities have led people to the point of suicide.
In the name of YouTube and online media, some people are found to be asking indecent questions, sensationalizing the topics and confidential information being investigated, and spreading false rumors in the society. This is having a negative impact on the society.
Similarly, the activities of spreading misleading and exaggerated content without fact-checking and disturbing religious, ethnic and communal harmony are also increasing. Such content has increased the risk of creating excitement and tension in the society.
This distortion seen on social media is having a far-reaching impact on all levels of personal, family and society. Social values, culture, and etiquette are weakening. The younger generation has started imitating the wrong practices seen in digital media as modernity. This has increased the risk of taking the society in the wrong direction.
Online bullying, trolling and unwanted comments have negatively affected the mental health of many people. Such activities are playing a role in increasing the problem of mental stress and depression. Misleading content spreading ethnic, regional and religious conflicts has also added a challenge to national unity and social harmony.
What to do now for a solution?
No one should be allowed to spread looseness and anarchy in the society in the name of democracy, human rights and freedom of expression. The rights of others should not be violated while exercising one’s rights. Certainly, there is freedom in democracy, but that does not mean the freedom to spread anarchy and arbitrariness. Therefore, the government should formulate clear and timely laws for users to limit the use of social media and implement it effectively. Freedom of expression should not be curtailed while making laws, but any act that harms a person’s privacy, dignity and social harmony should be punishable according to the law.
The steps taken by agencies like the Cyber Bureau and Press Council Nepal are not enough. For this, there is a need for a powerful, impartial and digital technology-friendly regulatory body. Such a body should be able to continuously monitor the unwanted activities on social media.
The government of Nepal should collaborate with big technology companies like Facebook (Meta), Google (YouTube) and Tiktok. Arrangements should be made to keep the official contact office of such platforms operating in Nepal in Nepal. There is a need to verify the identity of the person operating the social network. The misuse of fake identity should be controlled. Action should be taken according to the law against those who spread hatred against caste, ethnicity, religion, and culture, inciting social harmony, and activities against the law. Effective arrangements should also be made to remove content that is against the laws of Nepal.
Digital literacy should be included in the curriculum from the school level.
Children and youth should be trained on proper use of the internet and social media, protection of personal privacy, and respect for others. The concerned organization should be held accountable for those who cross the limits of decorum in the name of journalism. Media persons should also develop the practice of following the journalistic code of conduct.
In the end, like two sides of the same coin, social media is both a boon and a curse of technology. If used properly, it can become a source of knowledge, science, and development, and if misused, it can prove to be a curse. Its unsystematic and indecent use is negatively affecting the morality, culture, brotherhood and mutual harmony of our society.
Looking at the current situation, some of the content circulating on social media is very indecent and creates chaos in the society. If it is not regulated and monitored in time, it can take a more severe form. For this, the government, civil society, technology companies, and users all have to play a responsible role from their respective places. It is an indispensable need of today that all parties work together to make social media free from distortion, safe and dignified. If social media is left in an uncontrolled state like it is now, it will not be beneficial for both the country and the society.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
