You hold a responsible position in a ministry in the government. One day in the morning you received a call from the school of your 11-year-old son that you are required to come and meet the Principal. You proceed to the school and find your son in the Principal’s office. The Principal informs you that your son had been found wandering aimlessly in the grounds during the time classes were in progress. The class teacher further informs you that your son has lately become a loner and did not respond to questions in the class, he had also been unable to perform well in the football trials held recently. You bring your son back from the school and in the evening, you along with your wife try to find out the reasons for your son’s changed behaviour. After repeated cajoling, your son shares that some children had been making fun of him in the class as well as in the WhatsApp group of the students by calling him stunted, duh and a frog. He tells you the names of a few children who are the main culprits but pleads with you to let the matter rest. After a few days, during a sporting event, where you and your wife have gone to watch your son play, one of your colleague’s son shows you a video in which students have caricatured your son. Further, he also points out to the perpetrators who were sitting in the stands. You purposefully walk past them with your son and go home. Next day, you find on social media, a video denigrating you, your son and even your wife, stating that you engaged in physical bullying of children on the sports field. The video became viral on social media. Your friends and colleagues began calling you to find out the details. One of your juniors advised you to make a counter video giving the background and explaining that nothing had happened on the field. You, in turn posted a video which you have captured during the sporting event, identifying the likely perpetrators who were responsible for your son’s predicament. You have also narrated what has actually happened in the field and made attempts to bring out the adverse effects of the misuse of social media. (250 words) [UPSC 2023]

a. Based on the above case study, discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of social media.

b. Discuss the pros and cons of using social media by you to put across the facts to counter the fake propaganda against your family.

Roadmap for Answer Writing

Introduction

• Context: Introduce the situation where the protagonist, a government official, is dealing with bullying against his son, compounded by a viral video that defames the family.
• Thesis Statement: Highlight the dual role of social media as both a platform for misinformation and a potential tool for addressing wrongdoing.

Section A: Ethical Issues Involved in the Use of Social Media

1. Cyberbullying and Harassment
   • The initial bullying of the protagonist’s son by classmates through social media constitutes cyberbullying, which has serious emotional consequences.
   • Source: The Cyberbullying Research Center defines this as harassment occurring online.
2. Privacy and Consent
   • The sharing of videos without consent raises ethical concerns about privacy rights for the protagonist and his family.
   • Source: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) emphasizes the need for consent in sharing personal information.
3. Spread of False Information
   • The viral nature of misinformation about the protagonist’s family illustrates the rapid spread of false narratives on social media.
   • Source: The Pew Research Center highlights the challenges posed by misinformation online.
4. Viral Shaming Culture
   • The incident reflects a culture of viral shaming, where individuals are publicly humiliated, leading to reputational harm.
   • Source: The Journal of Social Issues discusses the psychological effects of public shaming.
5. Responsibility and Accountability
   • The protagonist’s decision to publicly name the alleged bullies raises questions about ethical accountability and the potential harm to innocent parties.
   • Source: The American Psychological Association stresses the need for responsible communication.

Section B: Pros and Cons of Using Social Media to Counter Fake Propaganda

Pros

1. Factual Clarification
   • Posting a counter video allows for immediate clarification of the situation, presenting facts to counter misinformation.
2. Awareness and Education
   • Social media can raise awareness about the consequences of cyberbullying and the misuse of digital platforms, educating the public on responsible behavior.
3. Mental Peace
   • Addressing false propaganda publicly can provide relief by correcting the narrative and alleviating emotional distress.

Cons

1. Potential Escalation
   • Engaging on social media may escalate conflicts, leading to further negativity and online disputes.
2. Impact on Professional Image
   • As a government official, public engagement in a contentious issue may tarnish the protagonist’s professional reputation.
3. Unintended Consequences for Perpetrators
   • Identifying alleged bullies publicly could lead to unforeseen repercussions for the students involved, affecting their families and raising ethical concerns.

Conclusion

• Summary: Reiterate the ethical complexities surrounding social media in cases of bullying and misinformation. Highlight the importance of responsible online behavior.
• Call to Action: Emphasize the need for a collaborative approach involving parents, educators, and the community to promote digital literacy and empathy in online interactions.