The social media revolution has changed a lot of our daily communication activities, patterns, frequencies and has larged altered the traditional way of sharing information. Many especially those users who are knowledgeable on how to largetly benefit from the online communication have fun and cannot stop to make use of the various platforms such development has broung into the lives of many.
However, there those who are yet to fully acquaint themselves with the inner working systems of the social media and how to manage or control it for the common good. This challenge has cut across the board from countries big and small the world over, communities, organizations, families and friends' circles.
Recently, media reports highlighted the "Snow Den Genius" versus technology usage which irked some United States Political Organs and Power Echelons. This is a good example that social media and informatin sharing using various technology tools has not only raised eye-brows in developing countries, but in first world set ups too.
We read about Wiki Leaks, and I think technology too had to with it especially in terms of information sharing. A lot was said about social media having kick-started political revolutions especially in some northen African countries and the Middle East.
Various organizations including business and non profit-making have also been thinking deep about the internet usage policy and how their employees or stakeholders with particular interests in the business can related to the social media usage in the public domain.
Media Houses too are not immune, individuals journalists find themselves wanting to express themselves in their own capacity about what they experienced as individuals and not necessarily speaking on behalf of their organizations - a thin line between an individual point of view and that of the business. The question of carefully distinguishing between a personal or human right to freedom of expression vesus that of protecting the interest of the business a person works for becomes critical. Who should be protected in this case, the individual or the business? I guess balancing the two is the way to go.
Familes are also grappling with the same online usage information sharing - you find that a particular family member who so open minded and has no issues with sharing his or her own experience would want to go public by using the various platforms such as facebook, twitter, linkedin, google plus, blogging and even vlogging as well as Whatssup to share his or her feelings. For instance, a particular person might want to share with her friends on a particular page that he or she has contracted a particular diseases/virus or was ill and has recovered and now wants to advice others to avoid what he or she might have done or just share good practices to be healthy. This action could however be seen as sharing private information in terms of the family members who are linked to the same person. Again, the issue of control becomes vital, but how does not control this - do you stop the indiividual from expressing him or herself which could mean healing- emotional or spiritual healing to that person and protect family, or do you allow the individual to share his or her version and expose the family?
In Namibia for example, but also in some other countries -some political organizations' members have been accused of using the social media in an improper manner - to instead talk bad about fellow members instead of using the platforms to advance the interests of their set ups. Calls to ban some pages on the online platforms also came from some quarters - but the question again is - what does this situation tell us as Namibians, whether in families, communities, businesses and political parties?
To me, this case presents a huge opportunity - to see how we can educate ourselves more about the social media to advance our interests and how such platforms can destory ourselves if not properly used. The user abusing such platforms also indicates such weakness in that particular person - and calls for help in terms of how to improve his or her usage of the social media. It also rings a bell about the maturity of a particular group, community, nation etc especially in terms of not only managign the web platforms but also the management thereof. Yes, to some, these could be great political tools to finish others, but in the end, I am not convinced that especially in our Namibian context that a person doing so - insulting others will be a Hero or Heroine one day - or have peace of mind for the rest of his life. I am sure that if such a person has a clear conscious, he or she will definitely be haunted by his or her actions one day especially if these were deliberate.
But, for those who are yet to know the consequences or seriousness of using the web to the detriment of others, we stand a good chance to improve and change for the better. The social media has so much that an individual, business, community, family and country can benefit from. It is up to us to manage these to our advantage because doing the opposite will defnitely destroy all of us.
Namibia for instance has been leading as Africa's jewel in terms of Press Freedom - and this must include Social media as we go - there it will only be good if we as Namibians, especially those that still need to know the benefits of social media can just acquaint ourselves with its legal usage so that we can retain the title of being the best when it comes to media freedom.
Namibia has always been the fore-runner of Press/Media Freedom in Africa. Credit goes to everyone who contributed to this development. I am encouraing all of us to retain this title.
My call comes in the wake of concerns of the perceived inability to manage social media either at the family, friends and groups, community, business, government and mainly at political party levels.
Social media forms part of freedom of expression platforms especially for the media and now almost everybody else as long as a particular person has access to the online web platforms, has intenet and knows how to make use of facebook, twitter, blogs, Whatsup, vlogs, instagram etc.
Therefore, as Namibians, we have to learn how to make use of the online media to the benefit of our interests as a nation and for the different levels including our families, businesses, organizations etc. There is no need for me to go write or text bad about my own mom, dad, sister, brother, husband, wife, children etc. The same also applied to my business, political party or government. Yes, I do know that when a person has no access to channels to raise his or her concerns or denied such access or not listened to, he or she is likely to find other channels such as social media to release such frustration or pressure. But again, even if you feel temporary relieve, ones conscious can continue to haunt the user of negative or hate text on a public platform. Being brave and still challenge the system either at home, business, organization, political party or government through the set up channels can earn you great respect in the long run, even if it might be painful at first. It is a learning process, I am also one of those learning to manage myself on this aspect. We have to continue to teach one another on how to improve and be best of social media usage.
Let's avoid the destruction part of social media usage as continuing to do that can only confirm our weaknesses in terms of being unable to draw the benefit of the social media platforms. As you know, they say, the media can either make or break you, therefore, now that we know this why do we want to use the breaking part and not building one?
Therefore, if you are grappling to control and manage either a family member, employee, colleague, political party member or national member who uses the social network inappropriately, you are not alone, but we just have to continue to educate one another on how to improve the situation. Namibia cannot afford to lose the top media/press freedom spot because of our own negligence, recklessness or inability to manage oursleves now that we have such opportunities, let's only take the best lessons and avoid the destructive ones the social media offers.
These are my own thoughts as an individual and a media person in my own capacity, aimed mainly at assisting young facebook users to be mindful of challenges these platforms pose as much as the provide great opportunities.
Again, this post is aimed at information sharing, advising one another on this subject and how we as Namibians can be best at using social media. You are therefore welcome to also share your views on this issue - give us your input because we now have a good platform for each to teach one.
