The menace that is social media

I have never been a social media addict. Call me traditional, and yes I admit that I am, but it has just never really been appealing to me. In our home, as I am sure is the case in so many homes all over the world, everyone is glued to their mobile phones watching the latest news unfold and catching all the latest status updates. The lack of my eyes being glued to my own screen allows me to see how everyone else just can’t put their phones down for a second.

It saddens me sometimes to see this happen on a daily basis. People rarely talk or interact in person. Nowadays it’s more discussion via Facebook or through an online messenger. There is a lot less actual human interaction and actual discussions over the dinner table as everyone is busy snapping photos of their food, liking the latest updates, or poring over the newest headlines.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not against all the good social media has done as well. It has truly helped in certain situations. In times of crisis, social media helps get much needed information out as quickly as possible. It also helps bring families and friends who live apart closer together. It helps celebrate wins and commemorates good times. It helps people stay abreast of news happening in other parts of the world and many times – when needed, it has helped change policy and create a voice for those with none.

But the Internet and social media have also been a bane on several instances as well. First of all, it gives everyone too much of a platform. Whereas before, opinions were limited to those within hearing distance, with social media everyone is allowed to say what they want whenever they want to a much larger audience. And while one might think that could be a good thing, it’s also a very dangerous thing. After all, without the fear of repercussions, and without the strict laws seasoned journalists keep in mind when writing the news, what’s in place to prevent false information from spreading?

Additionally, social media has also taken bullying to a whole other level. My daughter has even once told me how lucky she is to have grown up in a time when there was no social media. While she had to deal with her own issues in school growing up, at least she knows her mistakes are not immortalized online forever. I’ve read about so many cases of social media bullying going too far and resulting in teenage depression, withdrawal, and even suicide. It’s sad that a medium that was crafted to bring people together is being used to drive them apart.

It’s easy for those who are passionate to unknowingly turn social media into a dangerous online lynch mob. What often starts out as good intentions will often times end up going horribly wrong and more and more people will get on the bandwagon spewing vitriol and hate and then before we know it, everything has gotten completely out of hand. Again, I don’t believe it’s a bad thing to have opinions and passion, but I also believe in being respectful and watchful of what you say to others before picking up a pitchfork.

But of course, I also don’t think that these online mobs happen for no reason at all. It’s usually on the heels of a tragedy and emotions are high. People have opinions and they feel strongly about them. And then, before they know it they are arguing with strangers halfway around the world about what they believe is right. There are a lot of polarizing topics online (the recently concluded election is just one example) and this can easily get people riled up.

And speaking of polarizing topics, so many the world over, myself included, were deeply saddened by the sudden death of a 17-year-old male silverback gorilla who lived in a Cincinnati Zoo.

The gorilla, Harambe, was shot dead over the weekend when a four-year-old boy was somehow able to climb into the enclosure and fell into the moat of the gorilla’s home. The gorilla came over to see what the commotion was about and dragged the child a couple feet in the water, like he would have his own offspring.

To many animal experts he looked more like he was being protective of the child rather than aggressive, but of course, the child’s safety took precedence and the gorilla was tragically gunned down.

There has been much heated debate online over the incident and emotions are high. Of course we are happy that the child is alive and safe, but we mourn the loss of this critically endangered animal that lost his life through no fault of his own. There have been many who are pointing the finger at the boy’s mother who somehow allowed the child to make his way into the enclosure. While yes, it’s true that accidents happen, it’s also a parent’s responsibility to watch over their child – especially in an environment like a zoo that has wild animals.

I believe there should be some form of accountability in this incident. At the end of the day, those who want “justice for Harambe,” want to know that there is going to be a lasting lesson that we learn from his senseless death. There is a petition going around with over 15,000 signatures that puts more responsibility on parents for the child’s safety in zoos and likewise makes zoos more cognizant of additional safety precautions that they can take. Then hopefully in the long run, the magnificent ape’s death will not have been in vain.