I had the Honor to moderate a Session on Ethical Issues in a Digital Age at NDU University... An initiative that sheds the light on a topic that I consider very crucial especially if we want to talk about“Social Media” as an emerging science that is /debatable and experimented /...
As we all know, social media boomed around 10 years ago. It all started with the booming of social media platforms and networking sites such as: Facebook. People fed their curiosity by checking
other people’s pictures, liking photos, sharing moments and Checking in ( and
sometimes endlessly ) like my Aunt for example who thought “Check in” was a
feature to tell her husband about every step she does. She used to check in to
10 places daily starting with the tour in the supermarket ending at “Tante
Aida’s” apartment.
With this all said, Social media soon showed its other face of the
medal.
I always debate with my students on how social media is a
double-edged sword.
It can be used to have fun with others. At the same time it can
harmfully make fun of others.
By online bullying people
and we have numerous example that we will tackle in today’s session with our
experts.
Moreover, social media has become a generic term for total freedom - to me it can become total anarchy- if it crosses the regulations and ethical use of content.
In 2017 alone we have witnessed hundreds of cases where someone posted
something online and the second day they are asked to show in the court for breaching
the law which they consider is there to protect them.
I have no idea how many people know the rules of online
communication and respect them.
I have no idea how many people double check the news / and fact check / before they believe it especially when they read it on Facebook or Twitter ...
I have no clue if every one, while using the digital tools we have,
is respecting other people’s privacy and security and virtual space that we
should all respect.
The misuse of Social Media developed many serious psychological
problems of which I recall:
The FOMO effect (Fear of Missing out)
The Comparison Effect (which may lead to serious depression)
Anxiety / jealousy and Even Suicide! With the online games like
“Blue Whale” and other mind controlling applications and games … (Pokemon Go) is another example as well…
Online dating and fake profiles used to commit murder or rape …
Without forgetting the dangerous Recruiting methods used by ISIS to
attract youth aged between 15 and 25 targeting them on twitter / Facebook and
WhatsApp.
Finally,
we are part of this .. we help spreading bad content and we help trending false news and we help many times in bullying other people without even knowing it...
it's a wake up call for all of us. Let our online behavior reflect who we really are ... Let us treat people the way we want them to treat us... offline and online ... and everywhere.
April 23, 2018
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