Social media can benefit people

I REFER to “Social media is here to stay” (NST, March 22).

It is true that social media will be part of our future, whether we like it or not.

The Pew Research Centre conducted a survey of 1,520 adults in the United States and found that 79 per cent of Internet users, which make up 68 per cent of US adults, use Facebook.

Facebook is the most popular social network among Americans, followed by Instagram and Twitter.

There are about 19 million Facebook users in Malaysia, according to the Internet World Statistics website. The study found that Americans use social media to find information and interact with others.

They also use social media to get news, find out about elections and reduce stress. The data implies that social media is used in many ways and can be used constructively.

On March 21, NST carried an article titled “Actor Ben Stiller joins social media drive to raise US$2m for Somalia”. This is a clear example of how social media can be used for good and to help people at very low cost. Stiller and his friends generated enough money to send 60 tonnes of food to Somalia to help more than six million malnourished people.

But many are scared of the potential hazards of social media. Some parents worry about the negative impact that it could have on their children.

Don’t blame technology. Parents and schools should teach children healthy social media habits and show them how to use it to benefit others.

DR SITI SURIANI OTHMAN

Senior lecturer, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia