There is no doubt on the fact that loaded firearms are useful and dangerous in equal measure. While firearms are are used both for defensive and deterrent effects, both by the law enforcement agencies to protect its citizenry from criminal elements, as well as by licensed firearm holders, firearms have also been used by criminals to maim, injure and kill. This possibly explains why licensed firearm owners are not only trained but also provided with guidelines on when to use them to avoid abuse. Countries around the world regulate the use of firearms with severe penalties for illegal possession or use of a firearm. Countries where such control is not in place have been known to end in turmoils. There are lots of similarities between social media and online news platform with firearms.

Social media is a tool just like a firearm that at times isn’t used for the right purposes. There are some people who use it to offend, insult or demean other people. At the same time, there are thousands if not millions of users of social media who use it to promote business, faith, culture and a whole lot of wholesome content. We can use social media for common good to uplift each other, celebrate our unity in diversity and our uniqueness as a people. It was amazing how the ‘githeri man’ story spread fast and became a source of humour far and wide, all thanks to social media platforms. The ‘githeri man’ was trending during Kenya’s electioneering period in August 2007. The creativity through which ‘githeri man’ travelled around the world and visited with various celebrities was an example of positive ways in which Kenyans can engage and create humour on social media.

The flip side though is the level of uncivility, bitterness, abusive language and negative exchanges that go on in these platforms as well. In the same way that social media platforms have potential for good use, they have been abused possibly in a greater measure than they have been used for good. Most of the abusers increase the levels of toxicity and intolerance and decreases our willingness to co-exist with each other.

For social media platforms to be a place of healthy exchange and wholesome content, all players need to take responsibility. Change begins with you and you can be the change you want as a social media user by:

1. Making a conscious decision on what to post or forward. You can decide not to post anything offensive, inaccurate, unconfirmed or a stereotype. Not everything forwarded to you is true or is worth forwarding to someone else.
2. Respecting opinions and choices of others even when you disagree with them. We can learn to disagree honorably. We can share different political, religious or other persuasions and still exchange respectfully.
3. Choosing not to be confrontational and decide to be the big brother or sister – We do not have to respond to everyone especially the anonymous and faceless people who hide behind pseudo names to avoid taking responsibility for their content. Do not be a coward. Post what you stand for and what you can say to anyone in public without fear.

On their part, online news platform managers have a responsibility of regulating what appears on their sites without necessarily controlling or limiting freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our constitution. However, we must admit that freedoms come with responsibilities too. If news platforms such as CNN, BBC, Washington Post among many others filter content that appears on their platforms to protect their audiences and their own identity and credibility, our local new platforms can equally ensure the protection of their audiences from abusive and divisive content. Sometimes, I wonder if our news platforms care for their credibility. Adding filters that will regulate postings will go a long way for news platforms to promote a healthy society.

Our religious leaders too have a responsibility to speak on these subjects in their religious gatherings whether in churches, mosques or temples. Religious leaders hold a significant influence over their followers. They cannot bury their heads in the sand and imagine all is well when it actually is not so.

If and when all else doesn’t work, legislation remains an open option. Those we have entrusted with the responsibility of representing us in the various legislative assemblies have a responsibility of protecting current and future generations the potential harm of polluted mindsets through uncontrolled content. There must be deterrents for those who cross the line and the line needs to be clearly established. This line must be binding to and protective for everyone.

My parting shot to all of us who find themselves in the social media and online news platforms, with this gun, use it responsibly.