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Social media, opiate of the masses?

Broadcast television used to be referred to as the opiate of the masses.

Recent events however, seem to have proven that social media has replaced television in that role.

Addiction is a terrible thing, as we all know. When those who have become addicted to something are suddenly cut off from that which they crave, bad things generally happen; very bad things.

In the case of drugs such as opiates, sudden cessation can result in pain, trauma and violent reactions. Going "cold turkey", as it's called, is one of the most unpleasant things the human body and mind can experience.

Events in Nepal this week clearly point to social media being every bit as addictive as opiates and going "cold turkey" has certainly produced some dramatic effects.

When the Nepalese government locked down the internet and effectively blocked its people from being able to access social media platforms they probably weren't expecting the backlash that ensued.

The internet was locked down in an attempt to prevent public criticism of the government in a very naive attempt to quash freedom of speech.

Within a week, the Nepalese people responded violently, rioting in the streets and even setting fire to the parliament.

Politicians were chased through the streets and attacked by angry mobs.

The Communist Party headquarters were stormed and the flag was ripped from its pole.

I'm pretty sure none of those in the Nepalese government expected this level of response from the people but it really rams home just how addicted people have become to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok and the like. Without these platforms to distract and entertain them, the masses revolted and those who would deny them their "fix" were the target of much anger.

At this point I think the governments of many Western nations should take notes and become educated as to the risk they are also facing.

The UK and Australia have both introduced age-gating "online safety" Acts that seek to restrict access by under-aged youths to the social media platforms they are addicted to. In fact it's worse because without verifiable ID, even adults will find their access significantly restricted.

Do we really think that these youths and their raging hormones or grown men and women are going to shrug off such a challenge to getting their daily "fix"?

With tensions in the UK and Australia already running very high over the migration issues they face, removing or restricting access to this "opiate of the masses" is a very, very dangerous move on the part of the respective governments.

Trying to quash dissent and criticism by way of online censorship will be somewhat akin to attempting to plug an active volcano. Things may, on the surface, appear calm and quiet - with no visible sign of what's to come but, eventually, there will be an erruption of cataclysmic proportion as the pressure builds with no way to vent.

Sadly, I fear that politicians everywhere are hardly the brightest bulbs in the socket, not the sharpest knives in the drawer and, as a result, they will not learn from the events in Nepal this week. They will continue to believe their own publicity and continue to show contempt for those they are elected to serve.

Time to get more popcorn, this is going to become dramatic pretty soon.

Carpe Diem folks!

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