- I have been very skeptical of social media ever since I was introduced to the concept when I was in middle school. I think there is very little value in posting all about your life online and I also know that most people are cowards in real life. Online, many people can become anonymous gods to terrify people and honestly, unlike in real life when you harass someone, there is nothing to stop online persecution. Throughout history, witch hunts and public shaming are part of our society from the Christian persecution in the Roman era to the hunt for “Commies” in the 1950s, the internet just gives those witch hunters a new audience and less control from the law.
- Every person has two things, their own legal rights and their good name. While some people do get away with horrific actions because of their legal rights and privileges, social media gives a voice to those hunters looking to tear down a horrible person by stripping them of their good name. There is no privacy anymore, all actions you do are part of your legacy, which means a name tarnished is a life destroyed forever. Social media can restore voices to those without a voice, however, the problem becomes when the voiceless become the Voice rather than a voice.
- I think social media is not for the light-hearted because currently the climate of social media is to gain acceptance through fake likes and follows rather than have a meaningful conversation. Of course this is all dependent on the user and what they are posting and doing. Social media is a power, a dangerous power but also a good power as it can provide a way to meet those who do not connect in real life. Caution is the word to use with social media.
