Sungjem Jamir
Gone are the days when people meet face to face to get connected. Welcome to the 21st century where people meet each other digitally. It's a world where we can be anyone we want to be, be it an out-going guy to a very charming fellow. We can be an everyman or woman. But there is a danger to such abilities as we are made to see what the other person wants you to see them to be and not for whom they really are. We can fall prey to such things easily because humans like things depending on how someone or something is portrayed. Many people are not aware of the dangers of social network. Be it your job, personal life or even ties with your friends and family one silly mistake can turn one's life upside down. Most of our parents are not aware of what their children are upto in their computers and phones. There was a time when our parents would complain if we go out too much, now parents complain that their children don't go out much. The wind of change certainly seems to bring things which we never even dreamt of.
As technology advance forward so does the amazing feats of science bit there is always a price to be paid if we are careless. Criminals don't give up but rather they adapt. I am sure a lot of people these days find their supposedly "soul-mate" or become popular through social networks and yes our world do widen up when we enter the vast cyber world. But we should also be aware that no matter where it is, be it your own backyard or social network there are always dangers lurking about. The evil faces of mankind are represented by paedophile, kidnappers, murderers, rapists and so on and yes they do lurk in the cyber world by making themselves appear charming or pleasant to our eyes. Just like the Devil will never come to us with horns so too the criminals will never present themselves for who they really are. They will be charming, witty and some are even intelligent. It is said that psychotic murderers are not dumb but very cunning and one of the best example is Jack the Ripper.
The current age bar for Facebook is 13 years but anyone can lie online about their age. In America alone there are over 250 million users out of which 10 million are underage. Social networking should be banned to children who are below 18 years old or parents should take measures to know what their kids are doing because their mind is still immature, they can be easily persuaded and fooled. They are also exposing themselves to strangers who may prey on them not forgetting that they may be exposed to R-rated pictures or videos. Isn't it that when we were adolescent that we thought we were very smart and intelligent and full of wisdom until circumstances and situations pulled us down and humbled us and opened our eyes that we are not so invulnerable after all. Children go missing everyday because parents don't keep a track on what their kids do, young kids get raped, murdered and even get sold to sex traffickers. The rate of finding the missing person decreases dramatically to 40% if he/she isn't found within the next 24 hours. Some Facebook users, mostly girls, tend to have an average of 300 to over 1000 friends whom she may or may not even know. Adding "friends" on Facebook just for popularity can also be dangerous. Why would you need over tens of thousands of people on your account simply because you want a like or a comment. Even within our community there are predators both male and female, be it sex traffickers, rapists or murderers. Yes it’s very bleak and unfortunate.
We should realise that not everyone in this world is a saint or a sinner, not everyone in this world has a good heart. It is always wise to listen to elders and take weight of their advices. Before life makes us learn things the hard way we should always be careful about who we meet and who we befriend.
