The Positive Impact Of Online Social Networking In The Conflict - Case Study Example

The Positive Impact Of Online Social Networking In The Conflict Online social networking refers to a form of communication carried out over the Internet. Additionally, online social networking is the grouping of individuals into different groups where they can interact with each other. The process of communication takes place over the Internet; thus, making it an online activity. Individuals accomplish communication on a common platform of interest, which is a website such as the Facebook social network. The main goal among the individuals is to communicate with each other. The activity is of colossal benefit, especially for individuals who are physically far from each other, as it offers a simpler means to keep making contact. Online social networking is of immense advantage to individuals, for example, by easing communication; however, the same does carry along its fair share of demerits, such as being a productive platform for protestors to incite others. How have online social networks been used in recent conflicts? It is noteworthy that online social networks are easily accessible to individuals as long as one has Internet connection. Within these remarkable online platforms, individuals are able to send messages to each other, comment on each other’s activities and converse among themselves. Subsequently, if conflicts sprout, people within the online social networks are able to discuss more on the rows. Consequently, if there are any inciters among the users of the online platforms, they may take advantage and talk others into resulting to violence, maybe to act against the conflicts. Inciters can convince people to turn to violence in order to seek a resolution to a matter at hand by using impeccably articulated sly moves within the online social networks. During the recent conflicts, which erupted in Tunisia, the government censored various online routes of communication as a way of minimizing the conflicts. However, some of the online social networks were almost impossible to block. In turn, people within Tunisia were able to attain enough information to build up more emotions that caused them to continue with the violent protests. According to an analysis presented by Sami Ben Gharbia, a Tunisian blogger, a lot of content that fuelled the protests had its origin from one of the leading online network sites in the world, the Facebook (Ghannam 16). Although the government in Tunisia put effort to curb communication and sharing of protest-related information via online social networks, it is crystal that the main problem was the uncontrollable conveying of information. Information capable of catapulting the protests to greater heights was going viral, in turn causing Tunisian protests to extend vehemently. Moreover, the government in Tunisia focused on blocking access to key online social sites brushing away the thought that minor network sites were also in existence and could be of immense use in fuelling the protests. This also heightened the protests as analysis clearly depict that bloggers still incited individuals by sharing information, such as videos, through the minor online social networks. What positive impact was gained from the use of OSNs in the conflict? Whilst still using Tunisia as a country of focus during their revolution in 2011, it is true that the online social networks portrayed positive impacts among the citizens. One of the major works of online social networks is to provide a channel through which individuals dispense information. The main cause of the fracas in Tunisia was an issue to do with unemployment among the youth. It is within this context that rows erupted with people seeking an audience with the government. The online social networks, those that were still accessible, proved to be quite helpful as they gave people the opportunity to speed up self-expression and move a step closer towards resolution of the matter. The messages and information conveyed through the online social networks acted as revelations to people as to the events taking place within the country. Ultimately, these build emotions and confidence among the citizens, who took to the streets and voiced their grievances. If the online social networks were absent, many would not have a clue of the events unfolding within the country, subsequently, they would not voice their needs. Amid oppression, especially politically linked, one may seek to be anonymous for safety reasons. Several online social networks are not stern while one is joining; hence, one may end up joining these networks using false identities. In turn, this enables one to convey messages with the recipient not knowing the real identity of the sender. Consequently, tracking the sender may be difficult. In Tunisia, for example, the government did succeed in shutting down some of the online social networks, but bloggers, while using minor sites, were still able to convey messages that sparked the row. While all these was going on, the government could not get hold of the bloggers and could not unmask their identity, yet another merit online social networks offer. The Internet is a global tool connecting people from different regions. As mentioned earlier, the online social networks function within the internet. Thus, a person who is in another country can acquire information about another region through the internet. Online social networks form a substantial goldmine of information about other countries or regions. This is possible, as inhabitants of a region will not hesitate to talk about their country, especially during times of trouble. Tunisians shared among themselves and with the world about the protests and riots happening within the country during 2011. Bloggers and journalists shared information about the Tunisian riots through online social networks. In turn, this lets the world know of the happenings unfolding within the country and at times provides them with the right insight to intervene and assist in calming the situation. What negative impact was gained from the use of OSNs in the conflict?  On the other hand, online social networks also have negative implications in various ways. One of the most conspicuous implications online social networks portray on conflicts is acting as a catalyst to the process. In the event of conveying messages and information that fuel the riots, people are alerted of the riots early. This makes the people highly agitated and act promptly, denying the government adequate time to contain the situation. In Tunisia, for example, the government tried to block online social networks with an aim of denying people access to the truth to no avail. The major causative of this situation was the uncontrollable state of sharing information created by the online social networks. Sharing information within online social networks gives the world at large, an insight of the events going on in the country. On witnessing events such as political rows, various bodies and countries may tend to take the initiative to resolve the conflicts. This may seem as a tremendous move, but it has disadvantage such as the outside powers dominating the country experiencing the conflicts. Countries at war or having internal conflicts, often face economic changes as not only do economic activities loose stability but may come to a hold. This leads to economic suffering among the citizens in conflict and the country at large. In Tunisia, the online social networks provided a powerful platform to heighten the conflicts. The conflicts led to an economic meltdown within the country. This yet forms another negative impact online social networks bring forth when used as routes for fuelling conflicts within countries. Jeffery Ghannam recorded in his report that micro blogging in Tunisia made a considerable contribution to conflicts within various countries, including Tunisia (Ghannam 16). It is abundantly clear that social media have such an enormous negative impact on individuals’ lives. In addition, they provide easy channels of incitement and platforms for plotting trouble. Online social networks are dangerous tools, which not only encourage conflicts but also heighten their extent within a country or region. Works cited Ghannam, Jeffery. “Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011.” A Report to the Center for International Media Assistance. (2011): 16-18. Print. Read More