We should be guarded in using social media
Published:Thursday | June 9, 2022 | 12:09 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Gone are the days when we all had to wait on mainstream media for news and breaking news. The Internet revolution, coupled with social media platforms and smart devices, gives us information at accident and incident scenes in real time and sometimes immediately after the occurrence. Let us face the facts, camera personnel from TV stations cannot be everywhere to cover breaking news, but because social media platforms (and) smartphones are always present they are heavily relied on by the populace and sometimes mainstream media to post for their viewers and listeners.
How many times have we seen a picture of an incident in the print media only to realise that it is the same picture that we first saw circulating in social media? The information age allows information to be disseminated in lightning time to any corner of the globe, and is a good reason we should be guarded in what we say and do.
Nothing is absolute, social media has its disadvantages which come through eagerness, immorality, lack of empathy and total disregard for fellow humans.
Imagine the grief and shock that a family member must endure when they see pictures of their loved ones being circulated.
Put yourself in their position for a moment and you will realise that it can be a very traumatic experience.
A smartphone connected to the Internet is a global communication tool which should be always used properly and with discretion because careless usage can have a devastating effect on others. That is why it is important to have cybercrime laws so that we all do not run roughshod over each other in cyberspace. Some individuals are careless and reckless with their use of social media.
CARLOS PIPHER