The Dark Side of Social Media: When the Screen Becomes a Weapon
Social media has brought many good things into our lives. It connects people across the world in seconds. It creates awareness for those suffering from poverty, illness, injustice, or those simply needing help. Many lives have been touched because someone saw a story online and decided to act. In that sense, social media can be powerful and meaningful. But there is also another side to it — a darker side, and sometimes a very sinister one. When social media is used with bad motives, it becomes a weapon. A tool for humiliation, revenge, manipulation, and spreading stories that may not even be true. One post can go viral within minutes. A rumour can reach millions before the truth even has a chance to speak. Lately, I came across news surrounding “Justice for Yu Menglong.” There were so many stories, so many versions, so many voices online — and honestly, I did not know what was true anymore or what to believe. Then I thought about South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, who also fa...