Social Media Misuse: The Bane of Our Society.

Social Media Misuse: The Bane of Our Society.

Dr. Benson Omole.

Social media has become a powerful tool in Nigeria, shaping communication, business, politics, and religion. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X have connected millions.
However, alongside its benefits, the misuse of social media has become a serious national challenge, affecting morals, unity, truth, and social stability:

1. Spread of Falsehood and Misinformation.
One of the greatest banes is the rapid spread of fake news and unverified information.
Rumors, doctored videos, and misleading headlines circulate without fact-checking.
This fuels fear, panic, ethnic tension, and sometimes violence.
Many users forward content emotionally rather than responsibly.
Therefore is: 
a. Loss of trust in genuine news, 
b. Confusion, and 
c. Social instability.

2. Character Assassination and Cyberbullying.
Social media is often misused for:
a. Defamation of character.
b. Online harassment.
c. Public shaming.
d. Cancel culture.

Private issues are exposed publicly, reputations are destroyed, and many suffer emotional trauma.
The effects of these on the larger society are Depression, broken relationships, and even loss of life opportunities.

3. Moral Decay and Promotion of Immorality.
A larger portion of Nigerian social media content promotes:
a. Obscenity and vulgar language
b. Sexualized content
c. Materialism, fake, and fraudulent lifestyles
Young people, in particular, are influenced by unrealistic standards of success and pleasure.
There are erosion of values such as 
a. Modesty, 
b. Discipline,
c. Honesty, and 
d. Respect.

4. Promotion of Fraud, Scams, and Other Digital Crimes.
Social media has become a fertile ground for:
a. Online scams
b. Impersonation
c. Fake giveaways
d. Romance fraud
Many innocent people lose money and trust through deceptive schemes.
This has led to economic loss and great damage to national image.

5. Ethnic, Religious, and Political Polarization.
Instead of fostering dialogue, social media is often used to:
a. Incite hatred.
b. Amplify tribalism.
c. Insult religious beliefs.
d. Promote political intolerance.

Extreme negative opinions gain attention faster than facts, and balanced reasoning.
The national disunity and social fragmentation is on the increase.

6. Addiction and Time Wastage.
Excessive attention to social media use leads to:
a. Reduced productivity
b. Poor academic performance
c. Neglect of family and spiritual life
d. Many spend hours scrolling without purpose.
Lost potential and weakened personal development. Gainful, and valuable times are wasted. 

7. Lack of Digital Responsibility and Accountability.
Anonymity emboldens users to say what they would never say face-to-face.
There is little regard for consequences, truth, or empathy.

A culture of irresponsibility and recklessness is on the increase.

The Way Forward:
To overcome the bane of social media misuse in Nigeria, we need to:
a. Promote digital literacy and critical thinking
b. Encourage ethical use of technology
c. Strengthen self-discipline and moral values
d. Verify information before sharing
e. Use social media for education, inspiration, and nation-building.

Conclusion.
Social media itself is not evil; rather, its misuse is the problem.
When guided by truth, wisdom, and responsibility, it can be a powerful force for good.
But when driven by lies, hatred, and vanity, it becomes a destructive weapon against the society.
The challenge before Nigerians is not the access to social media, but the discipline to use it rightly.

Use it responsibly.

Thanks, for reading.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CROSSOVER NIGHT AND THE SILENCE OF SCRIPTURE

Image
“CROSSOVER NIGHT” AND THE SILENCE OF SCRIPTURE Joshua Ojo. A Biblical Examination of New Year’s Eve Vigils “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” — Deuteronomy 12:32 INTRODUCTION:  A PRACTICE ALMOST EVERYONE ACCEPTS As December 31st approaches each year, religious centers across the world prepare for what is popularly called “Crossover Night,”  “Watch Night,” or “New Year’s Eve Vigil.” Church halls are decorated. Special services are announced. Prophecies are pronounced. “Declarations” are made over the coming year. People are told that how you cross over determines how your year will go. For many, this practice feels spiritual, emotional, and meaningful. But the most important question is not: Is it popular? Is it emotional? Is it traditional? Does it feel good? The only question that matters is: “Is it authorized by Scripture?” The Bible warns us: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1...
Read more

THE BIBLE SPEAKS DAILY (DECEMBER 26th, 2024)

Image
TODAY'S TOPIC: Biblical View of Vigils and Cross-Over Night Prayers.  "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God..." "...And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him..." 1Cor.10:31; Col. 3:17. As a Disciple of Christ, it is essential to approach this question with Biblical authority (Colossians 3:17), and a commitment to practices explicitly commanded or authorized in the Scriptures.  Let us examine this topic through the lens of Biblical teaching! --- 1. Understanding "Vigil" and "Cross-Over Night Prayers". Vigils generally refer to late-night or all-night gatherings for prayer, worship, or reflection. Cross-Over Night Prayers are specific to New Year’s Eve, where individuals or Congregations gather to pray into the New Year. These practices are popular in many religious traditions, but we must ask: Are they authorized by Scripture, and can the Church of Christ...
Read more

Swim To The Light!

Image
Swim To The Light! In October 1917, an immigrant passenger ship bound from Italy to New York was caught in a violent Atlantic storm. Among the third-class passengers was a twenty-eight-year-old carpenter named Antonio Russo, traveling alone with his five-year-old daughter, Maria. Antonio’s wife had died in childbirth two years earlier. America was supposed to be their second beginning. A place where poverty loosened its grip. A place where Maria might grow up with choices her mother never had. At 2:00 a.m., the storm struck hard. Waves smashed across the deck. Water poured into the lower compartments where immigrant families slept. The ship began to list. Panic spread faster than the flooding. Antonio lifted Maria from their bunk and ran. By the time he reached the corridor, water was already waist-deep and rising fast. Passengers screamed, shoved, fell. Bodies pressed together, all of them fighting toward the same narrow stairways, the same shrinking chance at life. Antoni...
Read more