SOCIAL media has emerged as a powerful force in the digital age, with a significant impact on how people form public opinion and approach activism at both the global and local levels. In Pakistan, as in many other countries, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok have become part of everyday life, allowing individuals to address political, social, or cultural matters. This shift can be characterized by the democratisation of information, with the previously dominant traditional media replaced by a more diverse and immediate source of news and comments.
In Pakistan, the impact of social media is manifested through the fact that it allows for the amplification of the voices that would otherwise be well ignored. Indeed, the representatives of marginalized social groups and even individual people are now able to share their life experiences in public. For this purpose, they may use social media to mobilize the group affected, shed light on the issues people face through their personal stories, and call for action. Eventually, the dialogue around socio-political problematics is also evolving. One of such examples is how #MeToo movement affected Pakistan: the social media has enabled Pakistani women to share their stories and experience, and accelerated the voices defending the elimination of the harassment and violence against women.
Social media also enables the transmission of news as it happens by allowing immediate updates. Particularly during crises, protests, and significant political events, the immediacy of social media use is even more notable. It spreads news and facilitates the coordination of support in order to help on the ground as well. Student protests and strikes against educational reforms and university policies are the result of what has been spread and supported over social media channels. Local issues such as running campaigns further shows the use of such platforms by environmentalists to pressure policymakers on issues such as air pollution and deforestation.
On the one hand, the appearance of social media in Pakistan poses a lot of opportunities. For example, their rapid information dissemination speed can be used to foster the promotion of worthy causes, attract attention to pressing issues, and create complex communication strategies. However, due to the same rapid speed of information spread, social media can be used for disseminating fake or harmful content. Privacy concerns arise from the collection and use of personal data by social media platforms, leading to potential risks of misuse or exploitation. Moreover, it may also be used to promote information that can lead to public polarization. Additionally, the data social media collects may present privacy concerns, being used in a way the user does not approve. Finally, the issue of cyberbullying has become especially prominent.
As we move on, it is highly likely that social media will continue increasing in its role in Pakistan. It should be recognized that the impact of the given network on public opinion and activism is likely to become even greater. However, it is important for users, policy-makers, and companies to address associated risks while utilizing the given opportunity. Thus, ensuring that the influence of social media is maximized for the benefits of society necessitates promoting digital literacy, mitigating misinformation, and protecting privacy. In this way, the advantages of the given network can be harnessed to create a more knowledgeable and responsive general public. Furthermore, the nature of social media to influence social change and support public debate is likely to become even more prevalent and defining in the current age of Pakistan.
—The writer is a student at Aitchison College.
