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Growing Power of Social Media: Prospects and Problems | Pros and Cons | CSS Essay

  

Outline

1.       Introduction:

                In 21st century, the world has been witnessing an astronomical increase in the usage of Social Media platforms to voice beliefs, opinions and ideas. This unprecedented growth of Social Media portrays both prospects and problems depending upon how its growing power is channelized.

2.       Exposition of the Term “Growing Power of Social Media”:

A)     Exponentially increased users of Social Media platforms.

B)      Emergence of new and more far reaching social media platforms like Facebook, X, Whatsapp, Instagram etc.,  

C)      Giving people a place to express their grievances, opinions and challenging the status quo.

 

3.       Prospects of Growing Power of Social Media:

A)     Giving impetus to Accountability Mechanism.

a.       George Floyd Murder Case in USA.

b.      Icelandic Prime Minister’s resignation as a consequence of Panama Scandal outrage. 

c.       Motorway Hit and Run Case of Woman

B)      Helping voices against Human Rights Violations:

a.       Voices against a Isra’eeli oppression on Falas’teen

b.      The inhumane murder of Burhan Wani sparked fire on social media platform.

c.       Jamal Kashoggi Murder Case in Turkiye.

C)      Bringing Socio-Political Revolutions:

a.       Arab Spring Case.

b.      #MeToo Movement.

D)     Savior of Democracy:

a.       Pakistan’s General Election 2024

b.      Failed Military Coup of Turkiye

E)      Opening up New Business Avenues:

a.       Social Media Marketing

b.      Social Media Outlets/Stores

c.       Skype/Zoom for Business

F)      Giving Support to Distant Learning / Educational:

a.       Zoom Educational Lecture

b.      Facebook Pages/Groups for Lectures

c.       Youtube educational videos


4.       Problems emerging by Growing Power of Social Media:

A)     Compromising people’s right to privacy.

a.       Case of Cambridge Analytica

B)      Terrorist Outfit has being using to promote ideology:

a.       Case of ISIS recruitment Naureen Laghari

C)      Hampering direct way of communication:

D)     Easy access to restricted substances and weaponry:

E)      Has been used to disseminate misinformation / disinformation /propaganda.

F)      Publicity of Obscenity and objectionable content:

 

5.       Way forward to ensure positive use of Social media.

A)     Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to play its constructive role.

B)      Every individual to take responsibility to refrain from destructive usage of social media.

 

6.       Conclusion:

In order to realize the prospects of Social Media, it is imperative to use it responsibly.

 

Essay (Only Introduction, Exposition, One Argument and Conclusion)


                In 21st century, the world has been witnessing an astronomical increase in the number of social media users. The use of social media has been increased to put their opinions and beliefs. This increasing trend has given social media immense power which has both its prospects and problems on the society, depending upon how its power is channelized. The prospects of social media are helping modern human age in fighting against human rights violations by voicing people’s opinion and awakening international players. On the other hand it has also been helping people with maintaining democratic process and culture. Furthermore, the growing power of social media has also offered people a platform to put their leaders and rules accountable. It is also worth mentioning that growing power of social media has made it possible for people to ignite the social and political revolution. On the other side, this growing power is being abused to weaken the social fabric. For instance, it has been used by terrorists to spread their ideology, it has caused the violation of very basic human right to privacy; it has been using to spread selective information and/or disinformation; it has been used for selling restrictive substances and weaponry. However, since growing power of social media possesses both prospects and problems, the intervention of Electronic Media Regulatory Authority can ensure its responsible usage to get maximum out of it.

                In the contemporary times the usage of social media is increased astronomically. This increase is because of worldwide access to internet and proliferation of Smartphone. The websites like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) Instagram, Whatsapp, Snapchat and TikTok are collectively known social media platforms. These websites have given general public a platform where they can voice their opinions and beliefs freely. Such opinions, beliefs and call-to-actions bring about change in the society. In a nutshell, this power to bring about change in the society is called the growing power of social media.

                Since its inception, social media has been providing populace with number of benefits. Out of which being a platform to bring leaders and rulers into the process of accountability is one. Before the advent of social media, it was not possible to gather huge public opinion on the topic of accountability. This was because people had only one choice of taking to the streets, which was for sure a limited protest demonstration. However, social media has made it possible for people to protest only by putting their opinion to pool with others to put pressure on the authorities to take action. The best case in point here is the resignation of Icelandic Prime Minister “Sigmundur David”. His name was appeared in the infamous Panama Scandal and in the wake of this hundreds of people from within and outside protested on social media and demanded resignation. Finally, the prime minister bowed down before the public protest and resigned from premiership. This case depicts the growing power of social media.

[Other argument in favor of Social Media…]

[Arguments against growing power of Social Media…]

[Way forward…]

                Conclusively, it is now clear that the social media can bring about socio-economic and political change in the society, which is termed as its growing power. However, whether these changes will be positive or negative will depend entirely upon the way it is used. The threats being posed by growing power of social media are grave and alarming. There is a dire need to set up a pragmatic policy to combat such threats. The policy may include robust role of Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to regulate the social media platform. The onus is also on the individuals as well to use the social media in constructive manner. Though it seems difficult, but it is not impossible. If the steps are taken with iron hand then the growing power of social media would become sheer blessing.

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