Should the Use of Social Networking Websites Be Restricted

By Julia Fernandes @appshub

When the societies face a challenge-like situation in terms of social media, they start thinking to restrict the liberty of the networking services. This is particularly true in the cases of governments pitted against the rebellions. The use of social media has brought Arab uprising in countries like Egypt, Tunis, Libya and Syria. A similar situation was encountered by the British government when the criminal elements took to the roads and played havoc with the life and property of the citizens.

The opinion is divided on the issue whether or not the use of social media should be restricted. Most of the people are not in favor of any restrictions.

Such restrictions sound dictatorial

Most of the dictatorial regimes in the world tend to impose such restriction with a disregard to human rights and privacy norms. This practice goes against the democratic norms and hence will not be supported by the public.

There are other alternatives available

If the aim is the curb the activities of criminals by imposing restrictions on social media it will not work. The criminals have many other means available with them. They can use telephones, mobile phones, emails and even the old methods of writing letters. The like-minded people indulging in criminal activities will not be deterred by such restrictions.

The user and not social media to be blamed

Social media by itself is a very useful tool. It is the user who makes criminal use of this facility that makes it controversial. A good and effective means of communication should not be destroyed just for the sake of handful people with nefarious designs.

Social media helps in detecting criminals

If the criminals misuse social media for their illegal activities the same facility has been instrumental to detect the law breakers. A large number of culprits have been apprehended only because their photos were posted on Facebook. Instead of imposing restrictions social media should be used as a tool to foil the crimes. The US is effectively monitoring millions of communications on daily basis to check the threats to security. Same strategy can be adopted by other governments around the globe. CCTV cameras can be fitted on street lamp posts. The camera electronic can be matched to the cellphone electronic number of the criminals. This arrangement can preempt any criminal activity well in advance and at the same time no violation of privacy or imposing of restriction is involved.

Partial restrictions can be allowed

If the police is carrying out a targeted operation against criminal or rioters in a specified area the restriction can be imposed on social media and cell phone for a specific time period in order to denude the criminals from this scientific tool. This will have no objection from the public.

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