Everyone use social media today. Social media according to dictionary, forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos). Because of the rapid advancement of Internet technology, users are now hooked with social networking sites like facebook, instagram, twitter and many others. It is very easy to create personal account. It is free for everyone. From young to old ones, they are all happy and excited to connect with people around the globe. Each day, they check their social account for some updates with friends and even with the society.
Almost all may agree that the fastest way to disseminate information is through social media. The spread of information or news is very quick. It is just like a virus that when posted online, it easily penetrates the social world.
It is nice that everyone use the social media to make the whole world updated of what is happening in their places. From status, to a picture or to a video, the online readers will be informed and knowledgeable. Though some are not particular to share information for good, they usually post happenings just to make their post Viral. In that sense, they are famous if they will accumulate more likes, comments and shares.
The sharing of knowledge and information is very effective in social media. But nowadays, fake news and misinformation are very rampant. It makes people think if it is real or not until it is proven to be true. Unfortunately, some people easily believe what is being posted online. Too good to be true. Even the information is tailored only, perhaps some will believe to it.
The slogan of News and Public Affairs department of a certain network in the Philippines, “Think before you click”, should be embraced by every user. We should be a responsible user. Because of our freedom in posting any status and update online, we are sacrificing the integrity of social media. It may be true, it may be a lie. It may be hard now for us to make others believe because of this predicament.
The social media is one of the technologies we are enjoying right now online. Let us hope that the real essence of it will not go to waste. It caters the sharing of ideas, generating information, other forms of expressions via the biggest network in the world, the Net, which we can be connected. Hoping next time when we are online and we read information or news, it is true and authentic.
By: John Louise R. Olmo
