The Impact of Unregulated Social Media
Technology has entered every aspect of human life. The world is on the verge of another great revolution brought by artificial intelligence (AI). Dependence on technology is constantly increasing, which makes it important to understand and analyze the impact of technology on the human mind. Free content and constant use of digital media have changed people's thinking like never before. It is estimated that 58.4% of the world's population uses social media. A business whose principle is profit maximization.
In a country like India, where there are no strict laws governing the content of digital media, the illegal content of various digital media such as social media, OTT platforms, messaging apps etc., is a direct attack on social and family values. The unchanging content that makes its way onto social media platforms can lead to harassment, physical and mental abuse, and even human trafficking. To make matters worse, unlike porn sites where users can choose whether to view the content or not, unwanted content on social media can play a significant role in changing the perception and how it affects important activities such as sleep and physical activity.
And besides the negatives, culture, history, and economy are also affected by media in many ways. This can be conveyed through direct posting without the need for content exchange and algorithm creation. In some disturbing cases, child deaths have been linked to suicide, self-harm content and risk-taking on social media platforms, which can be particularly dangerous for children and young people who already have mental health issues.
While social media provides some people with a sense of community, a review of more than two weeks of research shows that some social media posts immediately explain self-harming behaviors, such as half-breathing, causing seizures and cuts, and causing heavy bleeding. Social media can also lead to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, comparisons and low self-esteem, especially among young women.
Girls and trans youth are particularly vulnerable to online bullying and abuse that is associated with negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety or worry. Almost six in 10 young women say strangers have contacted them on some social media platforms and that this has made them uncomfortable.
Excessive and problematic use of social media can seriously harm the health of children and young people. Social media platforms are often designed to maximize user engagement, which has the potential to encourage excessive use and unhealthy behaviors. Young people, policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families and young people must do everything possible to make a positive impact. India, facing a gradual but sustained assault on its social values, needs to reassess its position and develop policies to address these issues. The government’s attempts to control digital content have so far failed and have only resulted in external benefits.
The government should be strict on ensuring that citizens do not fall victim to illegal and undesirable content. Guidelines to users and service providers with clear instructions on words that may cause infringement. Tech companies should have a legal responsibility to ensure that children do not have access to sensitive content. The government should also set up an independent regulator to monitor the activities of social media companies in India. It is very important to start from childhood to ensure that there is no external influence on children’s thinking.
The illusions of so many films pose a major threat to the success of a generation growing up with digital content. There is an urgent need to address the issue of illegal content more and understand its long-term harm to society. More research is needed and public discussion is needed on how civil society can play a role in making the online world safer. While a world without the internet has become unthinkable, using the internet responsibly is a message that needs to be delivered with great force.
