Social Media: An Awareness Hub

The advent of modern technology has brought about astounding changes in our everyday lives. It has enabled us to be in the comforts of our homes and yet reach out to anybody, anywhere across the globe. This kind of environment has nurtured the rise of a variety of platforms that aim to provide a plethora of services in particular areas of interests. A major stakeholder in this field is social media platforms, whose primary objective is entertainment.

Social media platforms like Youtube, Instagram, etc have taken over the internet and risen as powerful empires that stream almost all forms of entertainment. These platforms

have influenced Pop culture so much that it is impossible to imagine modern entertainment without them. They moderate the kinds of information we receive, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the travel destinations we wish to visit.

Apart from radically changing the lifestyle of millions of people, social media platforms also serve other purposes. Over the years, there is an alarming increase in the temperature of the planet and this has been proven through various phenomenons taking place all over the world. We are, of course talking about global warming and the only stuff that has increased apart from the temperature is the videos of awareness that are circulating over the internet.

The internet has seen the exchange of thousands of videos portraying "the end of the earth" and the kind over the last few years, and sadly there has only been an increase in the number of natural disasters to back this up. While videos of this kind can be used to circulate potential fear in the mindset of the public, media platforms can also be used to spread awareness among the masses. And fortunately, this is happening!

Many celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Thompson, etc have taken on the roles of educating the public regarding the topics of climate change, the need to shift from fossil fuels and global warming. They are effectively using these platforms and their popularity for the general good of the planet by voicing their opinions.

In a recent event, actor Leanardo DiCaprio appeared on a video with rapper Lil Dicky who collaborated with various internationally renowned artists in a song titled "Earth" to raise funds to be donated to various environmental organisations.

https://youtu.be/pvuN_WvF1to

Apart from spreading awareness about environmental issues, social media platforms have also been used to spread awareness about social issues. Actor Donald Glover ( aka artist 'Childish Gambino') uploaded his song "This is America" on youtube which has garnered 543 million views and it throws light on various incidents that have happened in America regarding the racial discrimination and hate killing against the black people. Through the medium of music and social platform, Gambino has managed to spur the attention of the viewers over sensitive social issues. This has inspired many more movements like Thailand's rap video that riles the government against dictatorship.

https://youtu.be/VYOjWnS4cMY

Furthermore, social platforms have also been the witness of the #METOO movement that went viral in 2016, and since then made a huge impact in various countries all over the world. Me too was a campaign against sexual harassment and sexual assault which encouraged thousands of women across the globe to come out and speak about their experiences regarding the matter. Several prominent figures, including famous actresses came forward with their stories, motivating women and girls to uphold women empowerment and raise their voices against injustice.

The internet has always been a battlefield. While some misuse it as a platform to commit evil deeds, many have utilised it as a weapon to battle out against injustice and discrimination. What it could become the home ground for, will absolutely depend on what it is used for.