SOCIAL MEDIA (Care for Others' Feelings)

            In the past, children learnt to read and write using pencil and paper, while parents and teachers put in their best effort to ensure that children developed basic learning skills. It was rare then for children to be computer literate, going by the living status and backgrounds of their families. However, for some 7-year-olds today, it has become routine for them to turn on the computer and log on to Facebook.  Welcome to the borderless world of the Internet.

            Since the rise of social media, tech-savvy people are opting to communicate via such platforms. In fact, checking notifications or messages on smartphones has become the must-do activity for teenagers and adults as soon as they wake up.

           Compared with other social media platforms, Facebook is more popular because of its charm and influence. Some people have multiple Facebook accounts for different purposes.

          On Facebook, a grandparent and a grandchild can become friends, long-lost friends can reunite, and strangers from different continents can become best friends. Students can consult their teachers via Facebook. Sellers can promote their products, while some people meet their other half on the site. Users can also RSVP to event invitations via Facebook, as it is a faster and cost-effective method. This way, event organisers, too, can more accurately estimate the number of guests.

            Above all, Facebook users enjoy the privilege of freedom of speech.

The writer (in white shirt) believes that a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey. 

            It has become a trend for users to create special groups on Facebook to discuss various topics. This is beneficial, as people can engage in healthy discussions and share opinions or give suggestions. Members of such groups learn to respect other points of view, as they realise that people with different experiences and backgrounds may have a different perception of things. 

            However, some people are only "keyboard warriors", who misuse social media to vent anger and frustration. They criticise others without a second thought or feeling guilty. Worse, such people use foul language in their posts. Little do they know that their comments may lead to conflict or other consequences, especially if they touch on sensitive issues.

            "Keyboard warriors" are normally those who are easily influenced by what others share on social media. Some may have the intention of just feeding the curiosity of others regarding the latest news, but they should evaluate the reliability of the articles before sharing them. 

             This is important, as nowadays, there seems to be more people obsessed with sharing fake news that cause others to be confused or panicked, especially when there are different updates available on the same issue. Such irresponsible individuals usually over-generalise, exaggerate or twist the stories to make them appear more interesting.    

            Technology is meant to make life easier, not harder. Everyone should stop sharing rumours, hoaxes and scams, while the use of offensive language on social media should be avoided.

Sharing is caring, but do we really care about the feelings of other people before sharing? 

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

4 January 2015