Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, March 21: The growing importance of the social networking sites has once again brought to the fore the question how people, especially the young, should use those, more so after the arrest of the Class 12 student of UP and the subsequent order of the Supreme Court that instructed the state government to explain its action. The lawyers representing the state of UP had said that the post made by the boy was ‘defamatory and inflammatory’.
There’s no denying that Internet is fast becoming a part and parcel of modern living. With the surge in the Internet penetration in the country, more and more people, especially the young, are becoming active on the social networking sites to make the most of those platforms. With the corporate and the business world, giving importance to such platforms as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, youths today want to leverage the cyberspace to the best of their abilities. In the process, while, many are getting the expected benefits, a handful are overdoing the privileges that these networking sites offer and are ending up causing hurt and distress to others. Adding up to the woes caused by these over-enthusiastic users are the predators and the hate-mongers that are preying on the sensibilities and the weakness of the young and unassuming users.
Alarmed by the spread of hatred and inciting news items on social networking sites such as Facebook, the Union government requested FB to ban and restrict some of the potentially dangerous communities and their accounts on Facebook. According to a recent revelation, 5,800 contents were removed from the site between July and December 2014 on the request of the Indian government. Many youths in the city also believe that social sites are nowadays being used by many with vested interests.
“In the last two years, many new things have emerged on social networking sites. Many politicians have also come on these sites to spread their ideologies. I have seen many of my friends sharing some insensitive posts, which have the potential to hurt the sentiments of many religious groups. These things only create a chasm among communities and escalate hatred among the people,” says Pratik Mishra, a BTech student of KIIT.
Ayesha Mohanty, an arts graduate from Utkal University agrees. “These days I come across many offensive posts on several social platforms. Although our constitution has granted us the right to free speech under Article 19, but many among us have forgotten the restrictions imposed by the same. Many blatantly flout the constitutional norms and only invite trouble for them.
There have been many incidents in the past as well, in which many youths suffered. The infamous case of Shaheen Dhada of Mumbai who was booked by the Thane police for her comment on the Facebook should not be forgotten.” Saheen, as per her lawyer, as quoted in the media then, however, did not attempt to drive a wedge among communities but ended up as being one who hurt the sentiments of many for being ‘outspoken’.
Even the cops and lawyers agree that many youngsters are now crossing the line and are not now aware of the consequences of using the social sites irresponsibly. Talking to Orissa Post, Bishnu Mishra, Assistant Commissioner of Police said, “Ours is a democratic country. Our constitution has given the people of this country the right to (practice any) religion. The youths and all citizens of the country should keep this in mind. They should never attempt, through their posts, to hurt the sentiments of any religion or do any act, which can incite violence. If someone genuine complains against some Internet users and they are found to be guilty then the users will have to face the music. I request them to desist from posting or sharing offensive posts to keep trouble
at bay.”
Srikant Das, a city based lawyer suggested that people, especially the youth use caution when posting messages on these sites. “People should always use their wisdom while posting on social sites. They should refrain from commenting on anyone personally or commenting on anyone’s religion. Social sites should be used as social sites only – for socialising with friends and for other socially constructive works. Users need to be responsible to keep trouble at bay.”
Not just insensitive posts that may hurt the sentiments of people, using cyberspace to bully juniors on a college campus can also bring trouble to the highhanded Internet users. Many laws, however, are in place to nab the online trouble makers. Today’s young men and women must know these so that they do not infiltrate into others’ territories.
