Social media can be good, too, say celebs
The whole debate around social media toxicity has kicked up a storm. While some celebrities such as Sonakshi Sinha, Saqib Saleem, Shashank Khaitan and Aayush Sharma have quit Twitter, others, including Soni Razdan and Karan Johar, have restricted their comments section on Instagram to ward off negativity.
So, is social media now all about trolls and bullies, and a place to spew venom? Not really, say some celebs, adding how it has been a great means for them to stay connected with their fans during this crisis.
“I enjoy social media. It’s a place where I let the real me out, which the audiences are otherwise not able to see.
There’s negativity at times but then you have the block option, isn’t it?” says Radhika Madan.
Restricting social media usage can’t be good either, especially for people living on their own, feels Mandana Karimi. “It keeps me sane, more so than ever before, because of the lockdown. Yes, there are negative people on social media, but they’re there in life in general also. I raise awareness on social media and I also get aware about a lot of issues. I find it empowering and helpful,” says Karimi.
Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya feels that moderation is the key to maintain sanity while being an active social media user. “I know how much is too much. I give it back to trolls when things get out of hand. I have done that on several occasions,” says Dahiya.
Another important thing, points Shama Sikander, is that social media doesn’t truly represent someone’s life. “As long as you don’t compare your lives with others, you’re sorted. There should not be any pressure and if you face negativity, you can report it, that’s a legitimate option. Also, don’t take everything to heart and hit back at your haters,” she quips.
At the end, it’s all about having a balance. “I engage with my fans on social media, but it doesn’t define my life. I don’t want my private life to be on display for the whole world to see,” says Mallika Sherawat.