Social media: Lawyer advocates responsible usage

A lawyer and Social Media Influencer, Bamidele Olamilekan has called for responsible usage of social media among Nigerian youths, saying the power of the new technology must not be abused.

Olamilekan in a chat with journalists in Lagos said the responsible usage of social media will tackle rising cases of fake news peddling.

The 24-year old lawyer who played an active role in the campaign for the recall of mutilated and damaged N100 notes from circulation as well as the reformation of the F-SAR unit of the Nigerian Police, insisted that such responsible advocacy are what youth should be channeling their efforts on.

“Social media are tools that could be used to teach and educate a generation and equally be used for better income. However, some youth are using social media as vehicles to peddle false news or share toxic contents,” he said.

He said stated the various online advocacies he has done to include the recall of mutilated and damage N100 notes in Nigeria in May 2018 alongside members of Digital Media Practitioners of Nigeria (DMPN), where he serves as a Legal Adviser.

“I had equally lent my voice and platform to speak against the harsh treatments meted out to young Nigerians based on their looks or appearances by some bad eggs in the F-SARS unit of the Police,” he added.

The lawyer also lamented that notwithstanding the numerous opportunities being offered by the social media, the digital platforms have also become contributory to the challenges facing the youth because they are “filled with many pseudo toxic success stories that makes it seem as though if you aren’t into illegal businesses, you can’t succeed.”