Social media vs Ethics

The world is significantly revolving into a smart world due to technological advancement. Unlimited global links have been established through the introduction of a myriad of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp to mention a few. One cannot doubt that execution of business transactions like the use of mobile banking applications and communication at different levels has been made easy and accessible in the 21st century as a result of this move in technology.

However, as we celebrate and embrace this transformation, it has posed negative effects on the accepted human ethics. This then downplays the holistic joy which is supposed to be gained from these technology changes. I will give just one example.

Recently, there was a case of the Nando’s building which collapsed in Bulawayo, pictures of injured individuals who were stuck in the building and fighting for dear life circulated on the Whatsapp platform. The big question here is, why did the people or person who took these videos and pictures not help those who had been trapped in the building??

It all goes back to the smartphone and social media obsession. They all wanted to be the first to spread the news online and forgot the most important thing that had to be done first, rescuing those who had been trapped in the building. This clearly shows that we are now drowning in this technology and have become addicted to it that we allow it to affect our minds from knowing what is right and wrong.

The main purpose of this article is to stir up the IT industry to take it upon themselves as their corporate social responsibility to provide educative information on the proper exploitation of technology. Taking that responsibility will counter on the ethical adversity which is rising at the same time with technological changes, hence resulting in an ethically and technologically smart world.

Get smart with technology, choose wisely and use it in a way that benefits both you and those around you….