It is very easy to take social media use for granted. It’s convenient, very much accessible, and far-reaching. As I prepared my talk however for a Digital Literacy Symposium at PUP last March 12, 2015, I realized just how much responsibility is attached to its use.

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Social Media

Social Media is a social instrument of communication which provides for instantaneous interaction between the provider of information and the recipients. Whereas regular media like television, radio, and newspapers basically work one-way thereby providing very limited possibility to interact, if at all, Social Media works both ways. Herein lies the power of Social Media.

It can be segregated into different types including Social Networks, Bookmarking Sites, Social News, Media Sharing, Microblogging, Blogs and Forums, and Wikis. Some social media platforms are a combination of these types. Users can choose to participate in as many platforms they like.

Social Media Statistics

According to January 2015 statistics as provided by We Are Social,one of the leading social media agencies of today, the total number of active social media accounts all over the world is about 2.08 Billion. North America leads at 58% compared to other areas in the world. Facebook still holds the leading position among social media platforms although others are fast catching up.

In the Philippines, the average number of hours spent by users on social media is about 4.3 hours. The total number of active social media accounts is 40 Million. It would appear that our country has not been tagged as “The Social Networking Capital of the World” for nothing.

Benefits of Social Media

Never had we had so much power and freedom to participate in anything happening all over the world than now. Gone are the days when only traditional writers can have their works published for public consumption. Information is but a click away. Media promotion no longer belongs to a chosen few as individuals can launch a media blitz on their own with the right social media strategy. Most importantly, staying connected has become achievable regardless of time and place.

Dangers of Social Media

Without even trying or meaning to, Social Media has given strength to mob mentality and anonymous bullying, paving the way for full-blown cyber bullying. Many people think that having a social media account is a license to say something foul and insulting to get their message across. Trash material equivalent to plagiarized, poorly-crafted, and thin content are to be found side by side with useful information, sometimes even managing to get more attention than the latter. Privacy rights are continually being violated knowingly or otherwise. News and trends can also be manipulated by strength in number of followers and influence of connections. The freedom afforded by social media has also made it easier for online predators to reach their victims. For many, social media just gave them the perfect excuse not to interact face-to-face with other human beings.

How to Be Responsible Users of Social Media

Responsible use of social media can be summed up in three words: responsibility, sensibility, and positivity. Participants should think many times over before clicking to publish, promote, or share. There must be conscious effort to participate sensibly by avoiding to create unnecessary confusion and conflict. Being one of the positive content  creators who produce useful content is an unspoken responsibility of social medium users.

My Say

Social Media, when used in the right way can benefit mankind in the same manner that it can be dangerous when used for the opposite. It all boils down to motives and reasons. Its use is not to be taken lightly for it has corresponding responsibilities. Social Media in the wrong hands can be the deadliest weapon of destruction. In the right hands, it can be the single most important tool for finding solutions