Mahmoud Ahmad
Recently, the authorities detained two people, whom many have described as famous people in social media. One was famous on the application Snapchat (the app that allows you to send videos and pictures, both of which will self destruct after a few seconds of a person viewing them, and it is also a fun messaging app) and the other one in the application YouNow (an app through which you can interact with live broadcasters and go live to connect with your audience). Earlier too, the authorities had detained in the past those who were spreading unethical matter and materials impinging on morality through Snapchat. For indeed in this age of massive uploads and downloads there’s a definite overload of material in social media. We all agree that many people use these apps frivolously and get famous just because they have managed to accumulate a large number of followers. But many people cannot discern whether they were talented or simply ignorant and stupid.
The first person, who felt the long hand of the authorities, came out bluntly on Snapchat criticizing the recent royal orders and, what was more shocking was that he was using filthy language. Usually a man, considered a celebrity or famous with large number of followers in a particular application, should at least respect the people following him and refrain from bad behavior or using bad language in his uploads. Such people have never learned how to positively use social media applications and to spread knowledge and goodness through words. This person has, on more than one occasion, come out harshly criticizing others and people have accused him of instigating tribalism.
The other person thought it would be funny to play pranks on people via the phone by imitating a girl’s voice. This person was trying to be funny and was mimicking the famous American YouTube channel Ownage prank in our society. He then did the unthinkable and decided to play a prank on Saudi Red Crescent (SRC) by posing as a grandfather who had had too many Viagra pills. I cannot describe the stupid act of this person or the language he used, but he went ahead with it thinking that it would be funny to people here. What was really unpardonable was the time he wasted trying to be funny with pranks on the SRC teams that could have been used to save others, who were in real need of SRC services.
It was obvious that these people will go to any extreme and do the impossible and even produce acts bordering on gross stupidity just to attract large number of viewers and followers. Such people hold the view that the space allowed by these apps is free-for-all platform where anything goes. They believe that there are no boundaries and they can do whatever they want without the fear of punishment. The latest twin arrests are a good sign that the Interior Ministry is alert and is ready to take these so-called social media stars to task if they cross the red line. Again I ask, do these people know what a red line is?
I have to be fair here to say that social media has introduced us to good examples of Saudi youth, who are the real stars and deserve millions of followers. These stars have been using the medium to spread positivity, each in his/her specialty. We have seen how they contribute to increase awareness in our society on various social and economic issues and, most of the time, are engaged positively in finding and directing others to find solution to myriad problems. Such people deserve to be on the front line representing us in the media world and I wish that they would get all the support they need, from all quarters, to shine and benefit others.
We live in a conservative society that respects many values and traditions and we would like to pass these good traditions and values to the next generation. Nowhere and nothing in our traditions teach us that we disrespect others or use bad language to talk to people. Definitely it is not common in our society that someone plays a prank on a government department in order for other people to laugh. What many people need to understand here, especially the bad examples in the social media that it is not necessary that what works in America or France can work here for us. They should stop importing their ideas or copy them in their behavior if that will go against our values. They are more than welcome to replicate what would benefit us only and contribute positively to our society.
I stress here on the important role of the family once again. It is for them to explain to their children and youth the benefits and pitfalls in the social media and the best way to maximize its benefit. The authorities should step in and crack down on anyone that enters the Internet superhighway to disturb the peace through various social media apps. It is enough that our stability and unity is targeted through suspicious accounts online every day. To allow such abuse to come from within with someone instigating racism or tribalism is simply unacceptable. It is not acceptable also to allow people to play pranks on service departments and use them as a material for laughter.
In the past I had written an article titled “Stop making stupid people famous” and I wrote in that article the following. “In a blog by an angry person against the stupidity and dumb persons in social media,” he wrote, “By using the principles of basic economics and capitalism, you can help to stop the popularity of stupidity. If we refuse to give these individuals our money, time, and attention, they will either have to alter the content they produce to meet the demands of the free market or find a new line of work. Additionally, let’s recognize and support those who do the right thing day in and day out, contribute to society with their talents, and produce high quality content that is genuinely enjoyable.”
The writer can be reached at mahmad@saudigazette.com.sa
Twitter: @anajeddawi_eng
