Building Character Through Social Media
B V Vaman Maharaj
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While scrolling through a social media site which has become a very crucial element of daily life i came across an article mentioning that two German universities joined forces to investigate social e-networking.The study concluded that one in three people surveyed felt worse (`lonely , frustrated or angry') after spending time on social networking sites, often due to perceived inadequacies when comparing themselves to friends.Another article stated that heavy social e-media use might be correlated to lower self-control, which marketing experts believe could lead to higher spending.Although the increasing popularity of social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have gained attention as the most viable communication choice for bloggers, article writers and content creators, the downside is that the user shares too much information which may pose threats to him. Even with the tight security settings, your personal information may leak out. On the other hand, social networking sites are great enablers in a variety of ways despite the fact that they are also a source of exasperation and irritation.
Many times it is observed that children engrossed in their e-devices tend to ignore the call of their parents and teachers. Adults, too, end up paying more attention to social networking sites and in so doing, tend to neglect their partners, siblings and other family members and friends, too. Instead of spending quality time with family , we are spending quantity time on social media. We are depriving ourselves of sharing real time love and affection. Although connected with friends and relatives who are far away , we are becoming distanced from near ones, sitting next to us.
Preoccupation with digital devices and e-social networking is a growing trend; and if this continues to the exclusion of people-to-people contact in the real world, it may cause more problems than generate solutions. The wonderful invention of science should help us to become a loving and caring society instead of an affectionless society .
Life on earth as a human being could yield the highest benefit to not just humans but for all life forms.
Therefore a sober and intelligent person should try to attain the highest benefit in life before it is too late. One should overcome or reduce the tendency for sense gratification. We must utilise this wonderful opportunity by means of social media to find out the path to Self-realisation, to gain knowledge of the Eternal Well-wisher who is ever ready to shower grace on us. One should use the human form to practise devotional and social service.And in this, social media could be a very important tool. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service.
The Oxford English dictionary defines education as systematic instruction. `Character' is defined as mental or moral qualities. The word `secular' is very often used in education. According to the dictionary , secular means `concerned with the affairs of the world, not spiritual, not sacred'. When secular word is not sacred, what is the reason to feel hesitation in introducing basic moral, social and spiritual education to children and the youth? How can we think about good governance of the country by citizens without a moral, social and spiritual backbone?
As Columbia University Professor Keith Wilcox says, “It's not about `don't spend time on social media', but it's about `just be aware of what it might be doing to you'.“
Many times it is observed that children engrossed in their e-devices tend to ignore the call of their parents and teachers. Adults, too, end up paying more attention to social networking sites and in so doing, tend to neglect their partners, siblings and other family members and friends, too. Instead of spending quality time with family , we are spending quantity time on social media. We are depriving ourselves of sharing real time love and affection. Although connected with friends and relatives who are far away , we are becoming distanced from near ones, sitting next to us.
Preoccupation with digital devices and e-social networking is a growing trend; and if this continues to the exclusion of people-to-people contact in the real world, it may cause more problems than generate solutions. The wonderful invention of science should help us to become a loving and caring society instead of an affectionless society .
Life on earth as a human being could yield the highest benefit to not just humans but for all life forms.
Therefore a sober and intelligent person should try to attain the highest benefit in life before it is too late. One should overcome or reduce the tendency for sense gratification. We must utilise this wonderful opportunity by means of social media to find out the path to Self-realisation, to gain knowledge of the Eternal Well-wisher who is ever ready to shower grace on us. One should use the human form to practise devotional and social service.And in this, social media could be a very important tool. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service.
The Oxford English dictionary defines education as systematic instruction. `Character' is defined as mental or moral qualities. The word `secular' is very often used in education. According to the dictionary , secular means `concerned with the affairs of the world, not spiritual, not sacred'. When secular word is not sacred, what is the reason to feel hesitation in introducing basic moral, social and spiritual education to children and the youth? How can we think about good governance of the country by citizens without a moral, social and spiritual backbone?
As Columbia University Professor Keith Wilcox says, “It's not about `don't spend time on social media', but it's about `just be aware of what it might be doing to you'.“
