Advancement of technology, more than benefiting masses, is becoming

dangerous in the hands of miscreants. Increase of smart – phones and

computers have spread the use of social media platforms. Instead of using
the platforms for messaging information or decent discussion, it is
becoming a medium to spew hatred, upload incidents of human rights
violations mostly by perpetrators themselves with impunity and almost open
consent of political parties or communal groups or organizations.

Use of social media

Incidents of hate crimes have risen sharply in the last few years and most
of these crimes have been recorded live. “The rise of hate crimes in india –
cow related violence and lynchings – has been coupled with extensive use
of social media. While fake news and fake videos have often helped spark
communal violence, they have also been ‘ celebratory’ in nature:
participants bragging about being a part of the mob involved in the
lynchings and the violence” . ( Lynching as a Public Spectacle, by Prabhir
Purkayastha 4 Jan 2019, newsclick.in ). The article further says, ” For a
number of commentators, it is the tool – social media and therefore
technology – that is the root of the disease of communal violence and mob
lynching, not the political forces behind the violence. ” Many blame cell
phones as the heart of the problem.

Impact on people
Social media has huge impact. Research conducted by Perse.ly shows that
the life expectancy of a story posted on the web is 2.6 days compared to
3.2 days when the story is shared on a social media. That’ s a difference of
23% which is significant when considering billions of people using internet
daily.( What is the Real Impact of Social Media?, Maryanne Gaitho ,
September 12, 2018, simplilearn.com). A new study from Pew Research
claims that 62 percent of people get their news from social media with 18%
of them very often. The longer the information is in circulation, the more
discussion it generates and greater the impact of social media.

Rights violations
When contents posted on social media pose danger to society, the need to
regulate arisesand responsibility of people as well as those posting it
becomes important. In India, more than 20 crore use WhatsApp and even
more Facebook. Thus, false news rumours can be spread easily. Even real
incidents posted on social media have caused several deaths of innocent
persons. The brutal lynching of a 26 year old man on suspicion of child
lifting made rounds on social media. On May 25, 2018 in Karnataka, the
video showed the victim being dragged by two men in the streets of
Bengaluru ‘s Chamrajpet area. In the same way, a video surfaced
purportedly showing a mob beating up a man and forced him to confess
cow slaughter on June 19, 2018. ( 16 lynchings in 2 months. Is social
media the new serial killer?,Prabhash K Dutta, July 2, 2018, indiatoday.in).
The brazen uploading of videos showing gross human rights violations
reflect apathy of the administration and fearlessness of criminals in
committing horrors and shamelessly load them on social media. The
famous Pehlu Khan lynching was posted on social media. This is a case of
human rights violations.
Future
Therefore, social media is being used by the hindutva forces to garner
votes by spreading rumours, glorifying murders on social media and
different groups. Even the government sometimes adds by announcement
of mass surveillance. Human rights violations and exploitation have been
under scanner. The government should try to stop people from posting
content and videos with gross rights violations like murders and sexual
abuse. Steps must be taken to promote healthy content and not hate
speech or messages that hurt marginalised sections. Religious fanaticism
of any religion should not be available on social media. Real news, views
which promote harmony and enhance spread of knowledge must be
encouraged on social media to develop healthy society and peaceful
existence.