Playing the cards right with social media

•  This is when social media becomes an extremely damaging platform for individuals or organisations

Much has been spoken about the alleged sexual abuse of a child by a monk holding a position of authority in the country. However, the public continues to be divided with regards to how the state handled the above matter. Some have scrutinised state actors for shielding a monk while others continue to demand a thorough investigation. It is ironic that over 20 lawyers appeared on behalf of the monk in question while there were a handful of lawyers who appeared pro bono for the child. 
Already, there’s backlash on lawyers who appeared on behalf of the child including officers of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). There’s a strong defence for the monk with multiple attempts to disregard allegations levelled against him.
Thanks to social media, every individual has the freedom to give his or her opinion about any incident, irrespective of the sensitivity. In the contemporary landscape, social media has emerged as a powerful force that shapes public discourse, influencing individual liberties. Therefore, the narratives change by the minute, giving space for users reading about any incident to have multiple perspectives. Some of these narratives are assumptions, some are political and some are informative. But a lot of them also account to fake news, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation. 
Social media has played a crucial role in exposing wrongdoings and sometimes even holding people accountable. Users have gone to the extent of tagging personal profiles of individuals or organisations from whom they demand accountability. Even though users are not under obligation to respond, they do so out of fear or to save face. 
Apart from accountability, it is through social media that global movements such as the Arab Spring and even the Aragalaya came to be. Digital platforms are now the dominant battleground for campaigns, voter mobilisation, and civic engagement. Social media has entirely reshaped Nepal’s political landscape, serving as the primary catalyst for a historic shift away from traditional, established political parties. 
But in terms of digital freedom, the popular opinion may not be what the algorithm wants. So, while you are theoretically free to voice your thoughts, social media algorithms prioritise engagement. This may limit the free exchange of diverse ideas. While social media has the potential to enhance freedom of expression, it also presents significant challenges related to censorship and surveillance. Governments around the world have increasingly turned to social media platforms as tools for monitoring dissent and controlling public discourse.
It is a known fact that most content goes viral the moment it is uploaded on social media. This could be a false opinion, a misleading photograph or a video boosted through monetisation to support vested interests. This is when social media becomes an extremely damaging platform for individuals or organisations. 
It becomes a toxic place when racist content goes viral, especially when it comes to matters concerning minority communities. The viral nature of content on these platforms means that false information can reach vast audiences within minutes, often outpacing efforts to correct it. This phenomenon has been particularly evident during major events such as elections or public health crises. 
In the Sri Lankan context, social media needs to be handled with much caution and care. It is a place where the unpopular opinion may sometimes gain more traction. There’ll be more followers for people who produce unusual content. Those in power or authority may find ample ways and means of safeguarding their image on social media. There will be entire campaigns financed to support their interests, further misleading users and the public. Sometimes these campaigns have the ability to shape personalities. As such, it is up to the users to filter various narratives on social media and distinguish between the right and wrong. 
Social media is evolving,  and so are humans. Therefore,  the right balance matters and rather than becoming a victim, it is up to individual users to play their cards right.

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