Just imagine the trauma of finding out through social media that one of your loved ones perished in an accident with horrible pictures all over the internet. Imagine as a parent, seeing leaked nudes’ pictures of your child on the internet. Imagine, how women have been killed after being lured by prospective ‘boyfriends’ online only to be maimed. The list is endless.
Now it’s the time for the world to re-focus, for the new threat is not only the missiles raining from the sky. Neither does the threat only come from the dangers paused by climate change or the nuclear bombs which are now in the hands of aggressors. There is an invincible and cancerous threat that can wipe humanity like tsunami if not properly regulated.
And that cancer is called ‘social media.’
Critics will come guns blazing preaching about the goodness and the advantages of social media. They will preach how the monster has made life easier; they will add that now there is free flow of information and freedom of speech. Some will even go a step further to talk about the monetary benefits that come along with social media.
Undoubtedly, the advent of social media has revolutionized how we communicate, share information, and connect with others. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the inherent dangers that accompany this digital revolution which has turned to be a monster.
And these are the things that social media addicts will not tell you, that social media platforms can significantly impact mental health. The constant exposure to carefully curated, idealized versions of other people’s lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy, envy, and depression.
The pressure to maintain a certain image or garner likes and followers can create a distorted sense of self-worth and contribute to anxiety and low self-esteem, especially among younger users who are still forming their identities.
Moreover, social media often fosters a culture of comparison and validation-seeking behavior. The pursuit of likes, comments, and shares can become addictive, leading individuals to prioritize virtual validation over real-world relationships and experiences. This not only erodes genuine connections but also detracts from personal fulfillment and genuine self-expression. See how families have been disconnected!
Another significant concern is the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms. The rapid dissemination of unverified or misleading information can fuel polarization, distrust, and even incite violence. With algorithms often prioritizing engagement over accuracy, false narratives can quickly gain traction, undermining democratic processes and societal cohesion.
Furthermore, social media can exacerbate issues such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and privacy breaches. The anonymity and distance provided by digital platforms can embolden individuals to engage in harmful behavior they might not otherwise exhibit in face-to-face interactions. Additionally, the collection and exploitation of personal data by social media companies raise serious ethical and privacy concerns, further compromising users’ security and autonomy.
Last month Members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee castigated executives at leading social media companies calling for more to be done to shield children from sexual exploitation, drug dealing, self-harm encouragement and other damaging content.
And they urged the tech executives — including Zuckerberg of Meta, Shou Chew of TikTok and Linda Yaccarino of X — to work with them on legislation or risk being “regulated out of business.”
According to statistics more than 100,000 instances of child sexual abuse material are reported daily, children and teens are also subject to “sextortion,” where predators trick them into providing compromising material, then demand payments to keep the images from being shown publicly.
The psychological damage from such episodes can lead to suicide.
The panel’s ranking Republican, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, concluded by boldly declaring that social media platforms are “dangerous products” that are “destroying lives, threatening democracy itself.”
“You have blood on your hands, you have a product that’s killing people, ” he said.
