SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOB VIGILANTISM – SOCIAL ISSUE
News: As vigilante groups thrive, couples try to survive (Editorial)
What is in the news?
● Recently,
a report was released on the systematic targeting by members of religious
organisations, who are emboldened by the anonymity of social media.
How social media evolution has helped the mob vigilantism?
1.
Provide anonymity:
● Social
media with fake accounts provides
anonymity to the users, this will help them to promote mob vigilantism through
social media without revealing their original identity.
2.
Spread of misinformation:
● Social
media evolution has helped the religious mobs to spread misinformation across
the region through social media rapidly.
3.
Amplification of emotional appeals:
● Social
media can be used to manipulate emotions, incite anger, and mobilise
individuals to take action without considering the full context or
consequences.
4.
Platform of radicalisation:
● Social media is acting as a perfect platform to radicalise large numbers of people in a short period of time.
5.
Cyber bullying:
● Social
media platforms have provided a platform for public shaming and cyberbullying,
which can contribute to mob vigilantism.
6.
Organised activity:
● Social
media is providing a platform to the mobs to indulge in organised activities.
● Eg. Tool kit creation in
twitter is an perfect example for this organised activity.
7.
Mass mobilisation:
● When
a person or group is targeted online, it can lead to a mass mobilisation of
individuals who engage in harassment, threats, or other forms of online
aggression. This can escalate quickly, resulting in real-world violence or
harm.
Government measures to regulate the issues:
1. IT Act 2008:
● Section 66 D of the IT
Act 2008 regulates offences related to electronic
communication.
● This
includes punishing individuals who send offensive messages through
communication services or social media platforms. This act can be used to
penalise those who spread fake news through electronic communication.
2.
Information Technology (Intermediary
Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
● The
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)
Rules, 2021 proposes that social media platforms are required to remove content
that has been fact-checked by the Press
Information Bureau's fact check unit and deemed false.
3.
Identifying first originator:
● The
IT Rules 2021 also provides that social media intermediaries and messaging
platforms should provide necessary technology and support to identify the first
originator of the misinformation.
WAY FORWARD:
1. Nodal officer:
● The
government can create a nodal officer in
every district under the direct control of the state chief secretary to
monitor the mob vigilantism.
2.
Legal framework:
● Parliament
can make a law specifically dealing with
mob vigilantism as per the direction of the Supreme Court.
3.
Fast track courts:
● Government
can set up fast-track courts to hear cases related to online spreading of fake
news and misinformation that caused serious threats.
4.
Ensure accountability:
● Government should ensure the accountability of the messaging platforms through legal rules and guidelines.
5.
Awareness promotion:
● Promotion
of awareness through schools, colleges,
NGOs about the negative consequences of the usage of social media for mob
vigilantism.
6.
Strengthening Platform Policies:
● Social
media platforms should enforce stricter policies against the spread of
misinformation, hate speech, and incitement to violence.
7.
Use modern technologies:
● Social
media Platforms can employ advanced
technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to
proactively identify and flag potentially harmful or false content and
contents which create social disorder.
8.
Promoting Digital Literacy:
● Education
and awareness programs are essential to equip users with critical thinking
skills and media literacy.
● This
is necessary to promote the critical analysis of the news on the people.
9.
Fact checking units: Social media
platforms can collaborate with independent fact-checking organisations to
verify the accuracy of information shared on their platforms.