If you run a social network, the most viewed viral content will automatically appear on your wall and you will be forced to watch it until you at least scroll down. So, until the root of the social media virality is eradicated, the common internet users from children to the elderly should continue to fall prey to it.
The Guidelines for Regulating the Use of Social Networks, 2080, defines social networks as groups, blogs, apps, etc., which provide the facilities and methods to allow individuals, groups and organizations to interact with each other in accordance with the facilities and methods provided by electronic means of communication such as computers and the Internet, as well as the facilities for disseminating content created by users.
Recently, the rate of use of social networks is constantly increasing, not only for connecting, communicating and debating, expressing your thoughts and expressions, but also as a source of income and business.
Online spaces are freely available to common users in countries with democratic practices, except in limited countries in the world where people's right and freedom to speak is suppressed. Social media like Facebook, X, Instagram and video streaming platforms like TikTok or YouTube are becoming extremely popular.
As the prevalence of Internet social networks increases as a common and universal platform for people of all classes, genders, ages and regions, issues such as its regulation, risk reduction, and control of bad aspects are becoming complicated. As the latest generation is attracted to the internet platform, for many, Facebook, YouTube and Tik Tok are also becoming a means of discussion, promotion and income. On the other hand, in the pursuit of earning name and fame in the world of internet, a flood of perversity and obscenity has started coming in the social media.
In the Internet world, especially in social networks, 'viral' is a very popular word, which means that any content on the Internet spreads to a large number of readers, viewers or listeners in a very short time, i.e. becomes popular overnight. This popular overnight ghost has not only caught the attention of today's teenagers and young adults, but people of all age groups. The obscene and objectionable actions done to earn money and discussion on Tiktok Live and the videos shown on Facebook and YouTube are the results of the ambition to go viral quickly.
Spreading false and misleading information (mis-information and dis-information), playing on personal privacy, society's traditions, customs and social unity and racial or communal sensitivities, promoting obscenity and making social media a tool for begging in the name of social service are making social media platforms contaminated and deadly. It has raised a challenge on the basic values of individuals, society and government. As a result, there is a demand to strictly regulate such social networks and take strict action against wrongful activities on social networks.
Due to social media, false rumours, rumours, hate, obscenity, social and family conflicts are increasing as well as cyber crimes. Although the government has tried to regulate the content of such platforms by mandatorily registering the related companies in Nepal, most of the social media sites are operating in Nepal without registration and without even paying taxes.
The complaints of victims of various types of crimes such as hacking of social media accounts, other cyber frauds, posting of privacy violations or public insults, blackmailing are increasing significantly, but due to the fact that the related social media companies are not listed in Nepal, it is not possible to control and take effective action.
Inability to effectively implement guidelines on social media use, restrictions imposed on Tik Tok in the past being limited to political benefits rather than organizing social networks, social media platform companies not being able to be held accountable, but common users with low digital literacy are being treated with a legal stick, the social network, which is the most active form of online space, is becoming chaotic and complex day by day in Nepal.
In fact, there is a feeling that freedom and freedom have sometimes crossed the line on the Internet. Jamaat is behind many of the names that go viral on Facebook. But on Tiktok and YouTube, both name and price are traded. In order to earn money through advertisements and gifts on YouTube, YouTube videos, shorts, Tiktok Live and Tiktok videos are used to do provocative, unfathomable, rumourous, and obscene activities. In this way, when we see the youths who are trying to earn name and money by selling obscenity and excitement, the terrible picture of our society is really revealed.
According to the Electronic Business Act, pornography is banned in Nepal, but there is no body in Nepal to curb such 'soft porn' spread on the platforms of Facebook and YouTube. The state has not been able to pay attention to the video journalism style of YouTube channels that have been opened under different names and are openly trading in obscenity and spreading distortions in the society. The open trafficking and obscenity trade on Tiktok Live has not caught the eye of the state's regulatory bodies.
When online news media have come within the framework of mainstream journalism and are bound by the code of ethics for responsible journalism, the state cannot ignore the forceful presence of video channels on the Internet, the influence spreading among the young generation, uncensored distorted content and unregulated international transactions. It is sometimes heard that people who publish obscene photos and videos of other people on the Internet are sued for cyber crime. But it is not yet heard that the law has been used against the 'so-called social media stars' who trade their own obscenity.
Yes, you have the freedom to watch what you want on the Internet and not watch what you don't like. But where in the Internet world is it as we want it to be? Social media algorithms don't get rid of such viral content even if you want us to.
If you run a social network, viral content that has been viewed by a lot of people will automatically appear on your wall and you will be forced to watch it until you at least scroll down. So, until the root of the social media virality dries up, the common internet users, from children to the elderly, must continue to fall prey to it. Therefore, along with the 'penetration' of the internet and smartphones in the society, we must take care of the stench of obscene content that is growing in the online space.
