The social media stumbled into our lives barely 10 years
ago. These are electronic platforms where people have opportunities to
communicate virtually. Most of these platforms work real-time, online. That is
what makes it different from the way we used to communicate years back before
social media hit the scene.
Some of the benefits of social media are all around us. In
the last 1 week, my husband has been out of town and we have used the video, voice
and chatting facilities of whatsapp
to communicate and this has bridged the gap, though we are thousands of miles
apart. Social media bridges the gap of distance. Conference calls can be made
by several people across continents so far as they have good internet
connectivity.
Social media has also changed the way we respond to issues.
For instance the speed at which information now spreads is much faster, in fact
I will like to say its spread can be viral. The Arab spring is a typical
example of how the social media was used effectively to organize, communicate
and raise awareness among people in some Arab countries to express
dissatisfaction with their governments. This has costed many people their
lives.
It also has benefits because lots of business owners can
connect so easily to their target audience and get immediate responses from
their clients.
Just as the gains are numerous so also it has its downsides
but one that really stands out is the amount personal information that is
shared on social media that ordinarily people need to be discreet about. Many
of us are aware of Cynthia Osokogu, who was killed in cold blood in Lagos,
Nigeria, in 2012 because of contact she made through facebook with people she barely knew who ended her life abruptly.
This is cause for caution. I have made a personal choice to use the social
media wisely. What I share about my life and those around me, I make sure it is
not sensitive and will have a negative effect on them.
