Social Media Decency

The advent of social media has ushered the world into a new era of communication and connectivity, empowering the voiceless, underprivileged and marginalised. But they are also increasingly becoming an easy platform that enables dissemination of antipathy, fake information or misinformation to stoke communal tensions and disrupt social harmony. Many studies have linked them to poor mental health of millions of people, especially teenagers. It is these negative effects that have prompted many governments around the world to ban some of such platforms. The Australian government last week announced that it was introducing legislation to proscribe the use of social media for under-16s. 

In Nepal, too, the then government two years ago had resorted to banning the Tiktok, a widely popular social media app, citing disruption to social order as a reason. Most recently, the Press Council Nepal (PCN) appealed the public for social media decency, asking the platforms as well as the users to ensure the contents shared across various digital media platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube channels and others, are factual and reliable. It also appealed to the operators of social media pages to clearly state their name, address and ensure accuracy of the information they post.

The Council has mentioned that it had been actively monitoring the objectionable contents posted in social media as part of its objective to address misinformation/disinformation as well as to raise public awareness. The PCN claims to have been regularising and facilitating YouTube channels and online TV channels through separate procedure and taking action against those erring social media or their operators in accordance with the journalist code of conduct. Furthermore, during monitoring if it finds contents that are malicious, obscure, and indecent and tend to escalate conflict, it coordinates with the Nepal Police's Cyber Bureau for investigation and further action.

As part of its broader effort to promote the culture of decency while using social media, the Council has cautioned all the parties to refrain from posting harmful contents and also do their bit to make them a safe place where everyone feels valued. Social media decency is crucial because of the widespread influence these platforms have on individuals and communities at large. Ensuring decency in online interactions helps nurture a safer and more positive environment that encourages constructive dialogue and respects the well-being of all users.

It also encourages users to communicate with empathy. This reduces the likelihood of personal attacks, defamation, harassment, and bullying, creating a more positive space for dialogue and expression. Decent and ethical behaviour includes sharing truthful information and refraining from spreading false news, which can cause panic, damage reputations, or incite violence. Cyberbullying, hate speech, and toxic behaviour can adversely impact people's mental health. When users practice decency, they contribute to a healthier online environment, reducing stress, anxiety, and other negative effects associated with social media interactions.

Decent behaviour online fosters a more welcoming environment for diverse perspectives, creating a space where people feel heard. In a space where citizens feel safe and respected, they are more likely to engage in open, constructive discussions on important issues. What's more, a decent social media culture helps build trust among users, prompting them to engage positively and build good relationships. We have seen that nasty behaviour people exhibit online has many times spilled over into offline situations, triggering riots or tensions in real life. So, it's critical that we promote online decency to foster a culture of dignity and compassion in offline interactions as well.