In today’s global era the most necessary part of our lives that is social media has become another tool for propagation of different mysterious agendas and propagandas which has far more destructive effects and impacts on the ordinary human population and civilisation.
Because of the facilities that internet provides us for example the oceans of all types of information that you need and more than this the connectivity it provides is unmatched which can never be paused or resume now and hence these digital platforms have become a major significant part of everyone’s life.
Having million of pros this social media has multiple cons as well by its side which can’t be ignored at the same time. One of the most dangerous sides that come along with it is the spread of false information very rapidly and in a quick manner, creating controversies and shaping people perspectives. Incomplete information, the misinformation and hate speeches have found their home in apps like Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook. High knowledge in such fields can be used in a wrong manner by using such algorithms that give more attention and increase the span to view such content to build up the public narratives regardless of its actual accuracy and authenticity.
The very clear examples that we have seen where the propaganda was done using the cyberspace are the 2016’s US presidential elections which challenged the democratic values and on other hand during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic the rise of false and misinformation was on its peak risking the public health initiatives.
Another very devastating effect that has been seen apart from the formal flaws that social media has inscribed in it is the mental breakdown that comes up with depression, anxiety and the panic attacks as people go far away from the actual life and imagine themselves in the characters they see on screens and as a result of which when reality slaps their faces they become the victim of this delusional social media.
Another negative that has been seen multiple times because of social media is cyber bullying which is done by those that are not confident enough and are unable to confront in person which further become the cause of discomfort for the victims of cyber bullying that leads to the long term physiological disabilities and unconsciousness. The loaded amount of information that social media provides often effects the normal cognitive ability of the brain to process as our brain eventually gives least time to the details and lack the capability of comprehensive studies.
Social media has also impacted the culture immensely as people through these platforms often get attracted to cross cultural values that reshape their own cultures also giving rise to some new set of beliefs and values. These platforms designs the thoughts of others after inspiring them from the fake happenings which results in spread of negative behaviours and give birth to strong stereotypes in the society.
In order to make the internet usage safer, secure and reliable the operators, developers and regulatory authorities should must address and work with mutual cooperation regarding this issue on serious basis.
