Responsible Conduct on Social Media

Dragon Media Correspondent

The content shared on social media by people seeking views, followers and income—sometimes at the expense of dignity and responsibility—deserves serious discussion. The effects on individuals and society of sexually suggestive material posted to attract viewers on TikTok Live and other platforms should not be ignored. Criticism, however, should not insult a particular gender or community. It should focus on people’s conduct, the nature of the content and the systems that promote it.

Social media is accessible to a broad audience, including children and adolescents. Age-appropriate content controls, parental supervision and digital literacy are important, but content creators and platform operators also share responsibility. Platforms should be transparent about systems that promote risky or unsuitable material to increase views and revenue.

Labelling such content as “mental deviance” or an “insult to women” does not solve the problem. Such labels can stigmatise individuals and encourage online abuse. Whether content violates the law or a platform’s rules should be determined through evidence and due process. Criticism should be factual, respectful and focused on conduct.

When users encounter inappropriate or harmful content, they can report it to the platform instead of sharing it further. Parents and schools should speak openly with children about online content, privacy and safe use. The government should protect freedom of expression while safeguarding children and ensuring fair action where laws have been violated.

Insults, public outrage and one-sided accusations are not enough to make digital spaces more responsible. Responsible content creation, transparent platform policies, effective reporting procedures and digital literacy are all needed to build a safer social media environment.