“Social Media is a Mix of Sweet and Sour, becoming stronger every passing day. It can’t be avoided…It’s life!”
Starting as an entertainment Hub, people never thought that Social
Media will emerge so strongly and ultimately will get so much value and
importance in everyday lives. Almost every prominent Company,
Institution and Individual keeps their presence on web through various
online media sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter etc. It’s a
complete world where you have online presence of individuals,
advertisements for commodities, selling ideas, introducing new talents
to the world, shaping up view points and much more. Expression was never
that enhanced before, people share their feelings electronically that
were never thought a good ten (10) years ago. Social media is continuing
to gain Power with the passage of time and getting respect and
attention from all corners.
As a normal attraction for a young man, I remember when I started
using Orkut and Facebook and the main aim was chatting and getting in
touch with friends via net. Then with the passage of time, multi
dimensions evolved like thoughtful discussion pages, picture and video
sharing, playing games breaking news links, signing petitions and
arranging events & meetings. Nonetheless staging demonstrations and
even claimed revolutions (Egypt’s Tehreer Square).This rapid evolution
is really amazing and no wonder where it will lead in future.
People do not have to wait for a long time in order to get their
views posted/counted, you just have to log on and post whatever you
think is right even from the PC worth Rs.5000. Vast variety of news now
break for the first time here like we saw in famous Malik Riaz and
Arsalan Iftikhar conflict. It is also used as a litmus test indicator of
Public Opinion. Slowly and gradually it’s becoming a bench mark for
Opinion making. Various surveys are also conducted on Facebook during
live programs which give an initial idea of what people think for a
given issue.
Social media has made people brave enough to express whatever they
think is right. The most amazing display we saw during last elections
Campaign (11th May, 2013) in which people Hell fired various political
groups which could never be thought in past. Especially young generation
spoke their heart out trying to make an impact on mainstream politics.
People were not that much bold and blunt before. People used to express
themselves rather quietly and play between the lines often not directly
indicating Evils and Villains of their lives. You cannot stop them now!
People in Social Media continue to vow their thoughts and often make a
considerable impact on the mainstream media and politics. In fact
outbursts on Social Media are the everyday things emerged out as
feelings of masses. Everyday perspectives of such great variety were
never seen before as now everybody has access to Social Media.
Perspective raised from a very unpopular background can also gain a lot
of attendance to make you famous overnight. Taking Pakistani point of
view, WASU (a diehard Baloch Pakistani) who became famous by singing a
song on Pakistan history and ultimately got involved with Shehzad Roy in
the program ‘WASU AUR MEIN’ opening good food for thought. Then
the latest sensation Osman Khalid Butt who gained popularity after his
blogs on YouTube under the channel name TheLivingPicture.
Previously, in the age of Print media; we used to see rare whistle
blowers who used to raise voices to some to undesirable acts while the
mainstream media power hubs always kept things with respect to their own
benefits and Game Plans. But now, forces representing thoughts and
desires of common man continue to pave their way to fight against
captivating individuals who control print/electronic media and rights of
common man. You cannot restrict them, you cannot ban them now, this is
the beauty of online community and immense power of social media as
there is no ‘NAZAR-YA-I-ZAROORAT’ here.
Social media websites and pragrams are a great blessing for people
residing overseas to be connected with loved ones which were never easy
before. Nonresident Nationals keep in touch with their motherland and
try to participate online with respect to discussion forums/threads on
national problems. I also (residing outside Pakistan) make use of online
media and sense of attachment is enhanced while we contact our
relatives and friends residing in Pakistan and other parts of the world.
My father recalls his memories when my uncle was residing in KSA and
compares with recent times. He says that it was really much more trying
for the whole family in past and we are really happy to see you on Skype
every other day. Connecting is enhanced, people are relaxed!
Social Media can also be used to defy from facts which is a negative
side of it. The biggest disadvantage which I see is deception. The
pictures and videos, which can largely be crafted and used easily to
defame anyone. This perhaps is the biggest drawback which should be
restricted as this often disguises a common man. We saw worst display of
forging and deceiving people in last elections where people portrayed
various fake things against their opponents and tried to bluff and
misguide masses.
Ethical use of Information and privacy is also a big issue while we
talk about social media. Every now and then, we see the regulations and
privacy options changing which at times is very difficult to grasp.
Social Media groups may use your and my personal information for their
own sake which might be undesirable for us. People using fake identity
and blackmailing are also heinous acts which often denigrate Social
Media.
Posting also becomes crucial sometimes as there are organizations
which can monitor all the happenings too. I remember US President
Barrack Obama once warning for whatever we post on Facebook and like
hoods. Your personal information and posts can get you in trouble as
well. Regulations are good things but if it is meant to lock minds, it
would really destroy the liberty and truth which is a trademark of
Social Media. Any Official regulations/tracking in future should be
rational and ethical.
Speaking about Social media, some people call it a conspiracy (from
International forces) to gather overall information and mind control
sort of thing. I have seen people who leave online community with all
these fears across their minds. They might als0 be right up to some
extent but by doing so they are surly missing a big source of
information, intellect and entertainment. On a bigger picture nobody is
stopping you to express yourself (you can limit your personal
information) and equip with the kind of activity/information you want.
Scheduling tasks to move in life is also a very important thing for
individuals as all this online activity eats loads of time and takes
away other advantages. Physical and outdoor activities among teenagers
have reduced to a great extent as majority prefers updating
their status and getting to know about others online. If we take out
some ratio then it would be evident that new generation spends more time
accompanying their Laptops, Ipads and mobile tablets. We must limit
this and focus on other physical and constructive activities as well
that would be much better for our overall development. A balance needs
to be maintained in life, Social media be one part of life and not the
whole life!
Online community is growing at a sprinting pace, people from all
corners are joining hands to seek things and express themselves.
Observing rapid development and effect on lives of people, it can be
safely predicted that Social media will only become more powerful in
future. It could also be used to take guidance for identifying needs,
demands and desires of common man. Who knows it can drive
various national policies with the passage of time. I see Social media
becoming one of most powerful stakeholders in overall scenario thus
effecting lives more than ever thought of…
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