The Dangers of Social Media

by Jonathan Solomons

The Dangers of Social Media

by Jonathan Solomons

The Dangers of Social Media

"Your freedom of speech ends where the rights of others begin." This is what Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) media law lecturer Emily Brown says during her classes.

These sentiments however don't always seem to exist on social media as words, opinions and even insults are flung around, causing tidal waves of problems and friction between individuals, groups and as we've seen, even entire tribes and races.

As beneficial as social media may be in keeping in touch with others and what's going on in the world, it can be detrimental if abused or used incorrectly.

This is the gist of what Johannesburg-based social media law expert and consultant Emma Sadleir deals with every day.

Sadleir, an attorney and social media law expert, deals with all elements of print and electronic media law, particularly focusing on defamation, privacy and social media law.

Courtesy of Standard Bank Namibia, Sadleir recently presented a lecture at the National Theatre of Namibia, where she discussed the dangers of social media and the digital world.

"We know the intricate role social media has in the lives of individuals and business operations and therefore saw the need to showcase the legal implications and reputational impact that these fast-paced digital platforms can have on users and businesses alike, if used inappropriately," said Standard Bank's acting head of marketing, Sigrid Tjijorokisa.

Taking to the stage, Sadleir kicked off her talk in which she reminded the audience that "digital content is dangerous content". She backed up this statement by likening the online world to a giant billboard.

If you wouldn't put a certain message, along with your picture and personal information, on a giant billboard, you shouldn't let it exist on a digital device, not to mention social media, she said.

Sadleir explained the danger that digital devices such as smart phones and laptops hold due to three key features, namely the internet, screenshot capabilities and a camera. "The internet offers a permanent public platform; screenshots render transit communication permanent and cameras...