There is a great epidemic that has taken over our world right now. It is so powerful that it directly affects the human mind's ability to pause and think. Now, do I have your attention? I am talking about viral (videos, messages) content that we share with the click of button (or just a click, now that there are no buttons).
Most of the time we just share messages after reading the first 5-10 lines (words). The underlying intention of any given message is as important as the message itself. The way something is written goes a long way in understanding the intention of the message itself. Memes and viral messages ultimately help people express their feelings silently.
Messages that are a parody of any genre do not convey the right sense of the message; especially, if it is written with (not in) hatred. On an average an individual receives about 128 messages a day. And I doubt if the numbers are right because these days we belong to numerous groups.
Messages that end with, "if you are...", "if you believe in...", "share if you are a true...", 'How many likes/shares/upvotes/tweets for this poor/good/true..." are annoyingly contagious. As if you aren't if you don't do what they expect you to. You are overshadowed by a feeling of guilt or feel obliged to share it immediately because your sense of 'wanting to belong' takes over and you share it. Minds behind computer masks are 'using' you to share their opinions without you realizing.
Texting is the most widely-used and frequently used app on a smartphone, with 97% of Americans using it at least once a day (Pew Internet). Text messages have a 98% open rate, while email has only a 20% open rate (Mobile Marketing Watch). With that said, what if I told you that you were/are a part of cyber bullying if you share something that is hateful? Let me quote from the internet:
Most of the time we just share messages after reading the first 5-10 lines (words). The underlying intention of any given message is as important as the message itself. The way something is written goes a long way in understanding the intention of the message itself. Memes and viral messages ultimately help people express their feelings silently.
Messages that are a parody of any genre do not convey the right sense of the message; especially, if it is written with (not in) hatred. On an average an individual receives about 128 messages a day. And I doubt if the numbers are right because these days we belong to numerous groups.
Messages that end with, "if you are...", "if you believe in...", "share if you are a true...", 'How many likes/shares/upvotes/tweets for this poor/good/true..." are annoyingly contagious. As if you aren't if you don't do what they expect you to. You are overshadowed by a feeling of guilt or feel obliged to share it immediately because your sense of 'wanting to belong' takes over and you share it. Minds behind computer masks are 'using' you to share their opinions without you realizing.
Texting is the most widely-used and frequently used app on a smartphone, with 97% of Americans using it at least once a day (Pew Internet). Text messages have a 98% open rate, while email has only a 20% open rate (Mobile Marketing Watch). With that said, what if I told you that you were/are a part of cyber bullying if you share something that is hateful? Let me quote from the internet:
"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen, teen (or any individual for that matter) is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen, teen (or you) using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.
Every message you share might (will) hurt someone somewhere and that is not what I trying to get your attention to. I am asking you to consider the opinions and hate speech that are being thrown out there in the internet world forcing a victim to swallow.
How about not sharing anything you haven't read? How about limiting how many messages you share everyday? How about editing that which you share so that certain words or sentences that are demeaning and disturbing are removed? The reason we want to share something is because we believe people would enjoy it or at least it would help them. What if it doesn't, would you still share it? Would you say (all) that you just shared when you are out in the public? I seriously, doubt. Do not be a part of the epidemic losing your sense of identity to internet strangers.
As Toba beta says: "News is told, rumors are heard, truth is implied but fact are buried."
I strongly believe that you wouldn't share most of it if you read it till the end. Next time you share something share responsibly.
P-A-U-S-E, R-E-A-D and S-H-A-R-E.
If you cannot read and don't think you would find time, ask the person who shared it with you if they have read. If they haven't, then you shouldn't be spreading. What you share is who you are. Wouldn't it be nice if only you could filter out the messages that you receive so that you receive that which only interest you?
There is a saying, "A man is known by the company he keeps." but now, I would say, "A man is know by that which he shares, hugs, tweets, likes and upvotes."
No comments:
Post a Comment