Much ado is being made about the evils and dangers of social media every day. Admittedly, we are all wary of the ease by which unverified content and stories are spread to mislead people and cause confusion or harm. Many times, platforms are polarizing echo chambers with divisive content which deepen societal conflicts and biases.

Addictive and compulsive scrolling lowers productivity and disrupts real-life relationships. Excessive use can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem due to discontent and cyberbullying.

Personal data on online platforms can be exploited, shared without consent, or used for targeted manipulation and the proliferation of cybercrimes such as scams, hacking, online bullying and harassment.

But advances in technology are double-edged swords. Lest we forget, social media has also brought so much good into our lives. It has brought connectivity to a whole new level. Social media bridges people and businesses across distances, fostering relationships and community-building. It has paved the way for sharing information, making it widely accessible through platforms for news, education, general knowledge, and awareness of current and important issues. It has become a significant tool for empowering marginalized individuals and groups by amplifying their voices through various platforms where they can share their plight and advocate for change.

Social media has also provided unprecedented economic opportunities enabling small businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs to market affordably and grow. It has allowed innovation to flourish by encouraging collaboration, creativity, and spreading new ideas and technologies that provide solutions and allow uninterrupted education and work, particularly during the pandemic. It has been instrumental in facilitating rapid communication and mobilization during emergencies and natural disasters.

Just the same, it helps to always be aware of the dangers and evil that it poses.

To my mind, the biggest damage caused by social media is the dilution of core values. Its inherent pervasiveness has led many to lose their sense of personal boundaries. Social media has blurred the lines between what is real and pretend. It has also distorted our sense of what information or aspects of our personal lives should remain private. If we continue on this path, soon social media will make the notion of “too much information” moot and academic.

Striking a balance between privacy and the connectivity required in today’s world calls for intentional self-regulation and mutual respect. It is crucial that we understand, assert and respect boundaries. Personal space and privacy lie at the core of every individual, which are essential for our autonomy and well-being. Hence, the protection afforded to privacy under our laws. But, if you give up your privacy freely and choose to expose your life publicly, you also give up your protection and recourse under the law.

Ultimately, social media is merely a tool, a platform for words, written or spoken, and for visuals through pictures or actions. The difference lies in how we choose to use it. It is no different from any other tool, like an ordinary kitchen knife, in the sense that what we do with it — whether we use it to cut food to feed our family or use it to stab and murder someone — is a personal choice. This is a decision we all make every day with a stroke of our finger or click of a button.

Therefore, we should learn to set limits and self-regulate. After all, the only person we really and truly have full control over is us.