Age of the millennial: Lecture underscores role social media plays in daily life

Boundaries need to be set between freedom of expression and hurting someone’s feelings

ISLAMABAD: Social media is not considered a tool that can make a difference due to its use for the wrong reasons in Pakistan. But, if used properly, it can have a monumental impact.

This was the crux of a lecture titled “Impact of Social Media and Digital Information Challenges and Solutions” given by Beyond the Horizon Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) Ahmad Jawad.

He said that social and digital media is generally perceived to be Twitter and Facebook alone and the area should be introduced as a subject in the curriculum at different levels to help people understand the importance and repercussions of its use.

Jawad said that traditional media lacks innovation and creativity, while social media runs on creativity and innovation and you only need strong and smart ideas to use it.

“The recent US presidential elections proved that despite the conventional media’s lack of support for President-elect Donald Trump -social media helped him win the polls,” he added. The CVO added that similarly, the recent coup in Turkey was conducted and defeated on Whatsapp that is a lethal weapon.

“People have become celebrities and entrepreneurs via the platform,” Jawad said.

He elucidated that Easy Paisa is a prime example of a success story that used social media effectively. He added that social media is continuously evolving and brings new surprises every day.

The CVO said that we are reactionary in our regulations and the techniques are becoming obsolete. Although a cybercrime law has been introduced regarding social media there is a lack of awareness among the public, Jawad further added. We must define the limits to the extent freedom of expression should not be infringed upon and when the sentiments of others are hurt, referring to the abduction of five social media activists recently.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2017.