By Pender Precious Elozino

Social media, which emerged owing to the development of information and communication technology, started in the early 2000s. Over the years, social media has helped as a means of communication, and it has also enhanced the modes of news dissemination. Social media aids connectivity and modernization; it can link countless users at any time, everywhere. Through the use of social media, businessmen are able to interact with business partners; people also organize webinars on social media platforms.

Information could spread globally through the use of social media, and its connectivity makes it simple for people to interact with one another. It results in global relationships. Social media has also enhanced the development of the education system in Nigeria; learners and educators can enroll in global collaborative platforms to facilitate constructive learning. The inflation of transportation costs due to the increment in the cost of fuel has made movement from one place to another frustrating. Therefore, through the use of social media platforms, lecturers are able to pass information to the students.

Social media has also assisted students and businessmen in making research and finding applicable information to enhance development. During the Covid-19 pandemic, social media portrayed a digital classroom for teachers and students. It also enabled friends and family members to communicate with each other. Social media enables people to stay informed about events happening across the globe or in other people’s lives using social media. Social media is the best platform to convey feelings and opinions. Through social media, businessmen and businesswomen can advertise their products and services, which is a more efficient method than door-to-door sales.

Social media has also made importation and exportation easier and faster. In recent times, people import goods from the comfort of their homes. Through the use of social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, etc., people are able to learn new skills without paying a fee.

On the other hand, the growing popularity of social media and journalism has put the government, as well as the citizens, on edge. Social media, whose original use is for self-expression and socialization, is currently being used to spread false rumors and engage in immoral activities. The importance of social media cannot be overemphasized. Social media has led to the inception and evolution of cybercrimes, cyberbullying, impersonation, addiction, etc.

In recent times, people use the facade of being rich to defraud innocent citizens of their money. It was reported on April 29, 2023, how Nigerian fraudsters duped elderly people by allegedly sending personalized letters to them, claiming to be representatives of a bank in Spain. It was also reported on November 8, 2022, of how a notorious Instagram influencer from Nigeria, whose real name is Ramon Abbas, was jailed for more than 11 years in the US for his role in an international fraud syndicate. The connectivity of social media enables communication around the globe. Some people use it to chat for fun, while others use it to defraud people. Social media accounts are also being hacked by people and are being used to impersonate others and mislead the citizens.

Through social media platforms, impersonation has become a common activity. Different people on social media platforms put the pictures of celebrities on their profile. This can mislead an average man that is unaware of the vices of social media platforms. Most times, on the cloak of being rich, females are lured and enticed via social media platforms and are raped, used for money rituals, or they can even be trafficked.

Cyberbullying is also another demerit of social media platforms. Social media promotes self-expression; most people use it as a chance to degrade other citizens. People get depressed due to atrocious comments by other people and false rumors that are circulated on social media platforms. In May 24, 2020, Hana Kimura died at the age of 22 after facing cyberbullying. It was reported on January 21, 2023, of how a Nigerian actress was pregnant for Apostle Johnson Suleman. This could have been a false statement, but it not only affected his ministry, it also affected his marriage. It was also reported on October 6, 2021, of how Prince Kpokpogri had sex tapes and nude photos of a famous Instagram influencer. This rumor was allegedly leaked by his ex-lover Tonto Dikeh. By spreading false rumors on social media platforms, the reputations of people are ruined, and it also disrupts the peaceful coexistence of the citizens.

People also face sexual harassment on social media platforms. Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, etc., invigorate people to dress and behave immorally to gain followers. Some students are devoted to social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, etc., which distracts them from their studies.

In conclusion, the government should enact laws to guide the use of social media platforms, and the people should learn to use social media platforms in a positive way to prevent demoralization and anarchy.

Pender Precious is a Law student in Delta state University, Delta State, Nigeria