The Nigerian Digital Space: Using Social Media for Social Change
By: Amb. Mercy Bamigbola
Ed. 215
Social media has become integral to our daily lives, shaping how individuals interact, consume information, and make decisions. Platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube are fast becoming a permanent part of human existence. As such, these interactive platforms shape our daily activities to the core and serve diverse purposes for different users.
Predominantly, social media has become a primary source of news and information for many, while it serves as a space for networking and social interaction without the need for face-to-face communication for others. Beyond personal connections, these platforms greatly influence consumer behaviour, assisting users in making informed purchasing decisions through advertisements and customer reviews.
The social media action point extends to the politics and civic engagement realm as it plays a crucial role in shaping political discussions, informing public opinion, and mobilising citizens to participate in governance. These significant manifestations have made information more accessible, where citizens can amplify their voices through these dynamic media.
Meanwhile, every pro has its cons. While the digital space is beneficial to us as a country, we must also be aware of the dangers associated with negative and uncontrolled use of the media space. As these platforms hold the power to inform, mobilise, and empower citizens, they can be exploited to spread misinformation, incite violence, and undermine national security.
The Nigerian constitution, as enshrined in Section 39 (1), upholds the right to freedom of expression, and this provides every citizen the right to hold and share opinions. This right is, however, not absolute; meaning our communication should be responsible, especially when it comes to matters of national security, ethics and morality, the rights of others, and public order. Moreover, we should avoid sharing content that incites violence or threatens national cohesion.
When we utilise social media, we should do so as someone interested in the growth and development of Nigeria. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it should not come at the expense of cultural harmony and our national security.
Importantly, we should see it as a point of duty to always verify information before sharing, as not all information is credible enough to make it to social media. Misinformation and fake news can have serious social and political consequences, as was the case in the 2023 General Elections.
According to the BBC on 14 September 2023, in an article titled Nigeria elections, it noted that: “Websites use false stories to attract views and ads.” This translates to the spread of fake news, which may fuel the division that exists in a given country.
Also, Mayowa Tijani, a disinformation researcher, who was interviewed in this article, explained that when one website comes up with a false story, it flies online (social media) and even offline, which then becomes an immediate narrative. In short, always fact-check sources and rely on credible platforms before sharing news or opinions.
While spreading unverified content is a war on peace, a social media user must avoid hate speech and cyberbullying. Responsible citizenship requires respect for diversity, and respect for other people’s cultures, traditions, and choices should be the top priority. Spreading hate speech, inflammatory content, or engaging in cyberbullying only fuels division and instability.
In conclusion, social media is structured for interaction, awareness, and advocacy. One of the best ways to exercise our freedom of speech and expression is to stand up against evil, fight for the rights of the vulnerable, and equip them with knowledge. Social media can drive positive change by advocating for good governance and raising awareness about development initiatives around us.
It is our duty to build the kind of nation that we so desire, and social media has given us a creative and more accessible tool to execute that. Let us strive to influence our community by using social media the right way!
Image Credit: Quick Frame
Reference- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66647768
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