In the digital age, social media has become our town square, the place where we meet to share news, ideas, and a broad spectrum of human experience. However, the power and reach of these platforms have also raised critical questions about their responsibilities and the role they should play in our society.
Each social media platform, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok, is not just a technology company; it’s a global curator of information, influencing what millions of people see, think, and believe. This influential role has enormous consequences. From spreading misinformation and hate speech to impacting mental health, the issues are complex and multifaceted.
One of the most pressing concerns is the spread of false information. In the past few years, we have witnessed how misinformation can distort public discourse, inflame societal divisions, and even influence elections. These platforms need to take greater responsibility for the content they host. While it’s critical to respect free speech, there’s a line to be drawn when that speech becomes harmful or deceitful.
While interacting in the new space we can share our views, express ourselves and communicate with others. At the same time, we can hurt others by acting irresponsibly. In real world human interactions happen to be more controlled by proximity and presence. In a hall where people have difference in opinions very few awkward and embarrassing situations happen when someone without any constraint would try to hurt someone else. But in virtual world, devoid of human presence, people often write first and think later. These situations put lives of many in jeopardy as judgments traverse the medium, with more profiles and humans representing them.
A profile missing in everything except a vague name goes muckraking without there being muck in the first place. An irresponsible act like sharing or uploading someone’s picture, commenting on it, etc., without making any attempt to ascertain facts is next to blackmailing. Although there are preventive laws for the real and the virtual world, but before laws our social apparatus has to come into play. We have a space that is meant to be used for a good reason and good ends.
Some may argue that social media platforms are merely neutral conduits, not arbiters of truth. But they are not mere passive observers. Algorithms designed to maximize engagement often amplify sensational and controversial content, regardless of its veracity. Therefore, these platforms should be held accountable for their role in this process.
Social media companies have begun to take steps in this direction, but their efforts often seem too little, too late. We need more transparency about how these decisions are made, and the algorithms that drive content distribution should be scrutinized.
Another serious concern is the impact of social media on mental health. A growing body of research suggests that these platforms can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially among young people. The constant bombardment of curated lives, cyberbullying, and the pressure to gain likes and followers can be harmful.
Recognizing this, social media companies need to prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics. This effort might include designing features that encourage healthier usage patterns, providing better tools for reporting and dealing with harassment, and educating users about the potential mental health risks.
Moreover, social media platforms have a responsibility to protect user data. Recent years have seen multiple high-profile instances of data misuse. Users entrust these platforms with a wealth of personal information, and it’s incumbent upon these companies to safeguard that trust. Stronger privacy policies, more transparent data practices, and giving users more control over their data are paramount.
However, social media responsibilities shouldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of the platforms. Governments, users, and society at large also have roles to play. Governments need to provide appropriate regulation that balances the need for free speech with the prevention of harm. Users must be more discerning about the information they consume and share. And as a society, we must foster digital literacy skills to help people navigate this new information landscape.
In conclusion, the enormous influence of social media in our lives brings with it a heavy load of responsibility. It’s time for these platforms to step up and embrace their role as stewards of the digital public sphere. They must strive for the delicate balance between fostering open dialogue and mitigating harm.
It’s a challenging task, given the global scale and diversity of users. However, the cost of inaction is far too high. As we steer this digital ship through the uncharted waters of the information age, let us not make this space a battleground or a platform to carry out vendetta, to abuse and hurt others. Obviously, the ones who discovered and invented the new social space didn’t put too many checks as they left it to people to exercise self-restraint.
(Author is PhD in Mass Communication and columnist. He works as Associate Professor of Media Education in Qatar
