Social media cyclops

By Camilla & Shawn Fernandez

“NOT all you see on the Social Media is true” a common adage we hear from netizens.

However, the habit of jumping into conclusion upon seeing a certain information still continues. We, netizens, ought to know that this practice is not to be tolerated. Disappointingly, some people play innocent, exposing that their assumptions are true and justifiable.

Many share a certain post then react without even assuring whether the information is legit or not. They are not thinking about the consequences of their actions.

I do not know why some people would be so proud displaying their immaturity online. they seem to have no control about expressing themselves. What has gone wrong with the values of netizens? Is etiquette now out of them? I can only sigh on seeing people being inconsiderate and insensitive of others’ feelings.

Social media platforms should have been a way of communicating and sharing, but others use them to harm people and intoxicate people’s thoughts.

Fake news can be found anywhere on the web. Without proper discernment, you can be a victim of it. Many of my family and friends were victims as well. Some were minor issues and others were seriously alarming that these affected the people that I love and caused them to be depressed. Undeniably, I was also a victim of false information from a “No classes” announcement to “Our President is Dead”, rumors that went around social media platforms. These fake news make me anxious. Instead of gaining immediate access to important information, my time is wasted struggling to decide if I should believe it or not to.

The unchecked practice is tragic because it stonewalls the right to know the legit public news and information.

What if the subject of the disinformation is about you? My friend and I got into a chat recently regarding this. She asked if I could help her hack and stop someone’s fake account making defamatory statements about her. My advice to her was to seek justice from the law authorities via the R.A. 10627 the anti-cybercrime law.

My own family once faced a dilemma because of grave accusations thrown at us via online.  That experience made me realize that it is so easy to spread lies online and ruin somebody else’s life. And once the damage has been done, it takes a long process for a person to recover and forget the trauma.

There is no need to add online etiquette to our school curriculum. It’s just a matter of love and respect. I admire my parents because despite what happened they did not take revenge. They let justice take its natural course.

It has not been easy to remain calm when attacked, and to keep silent after being bombarded with lies and gossips. It takes courage and great patience to be able to overcome it all. I am fortunate I am surrounded by a loving family, and that keeps me strong. Their love for me has no match. The social media cyclops can do me no harm.

With them, I know I can face anything. – Camilla

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