Every age demands certain standards of living. Similarly, the twenty-first century is defined by technology. Modern technologies have brought sophisticated inventions that have ensured feasibility in the pragmatic wheel of our lives. However, of all the outcomes of the present age, social media stands at a great apex. It has become an integral part of all and sundry, from infants to old-age adults, all trapped in the glamour and glitter of social media. The use of social media has transformed our lives into a new shape. We adopt what we behold on the screen. Undoubtedly, the use of social media solely depends on the mentality of people who use it. It has both pros and cons in its usage. Positive-minded people use it for productive tasks while others malign it for their pseudo-goals. As Shakespeare rightly said, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
Though social media is a great source of knowledge, awareness and entertainment, it has proved to be a fatal poison. It has brought woes and miseries to many innocent people. Generally, people from every walk of life use this leisure-breaking platform to avoid boredom. They upload their photos and display their social position to society. Regrettably, social media lacks privacy and security. It has become common to witness accounts being hacked by mischief-mongers. There are countless examples of account hacking. Similarly, a person of high esteem feels shame when they see their social account being used for nefarious activities.
Social media’s security concerns have disrupted lives, especially for women. Hackers exploit women’s kindness by using personal images to blackmail them, thus leading to immense suffering. In patriarchal societies like Pakistan, a woman’s viral photo brings shame and blocks good marriage prospects, plunging them into despair.
Moreover, the leakage of private videos of girls via social media destroys lives, making it a tool for evil. It’s also detrimental to children, wasting their time and eroding social skills. The pressure on middle-class teens to emulate elite lifestyles seen on platforms like Facebook or Instagram has led to tragic consequences, even contemplating suicide due to unmet desires. Social media has tragically claimed innocent lives.
Lastly, long ago, when there was no social media, the world was purer. Prosperity dominated over adversity, and life was in the lap of peace. However, the dawn of social media wreaked havoc on our daily lives. There is no denying that children learn by seeing other children. The drug culture has become common among today’s youths, largely due to social media’s influence in promoting drugs as a fashion statement, including substances like hookah, pods, cigarettes and beer. To ensure stability amidst social media, cybersecurity must play a significant role. It should prevent hackers from breaching user privacy and ensure safety for all.
—The writer is a contributing columnist.
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views expressed are writer’s own.
