ID :
219051
Wed, 12/14/2011 - 02:36
Auther :

Social Media Has Positive, Negative Aspects

Jakarta, Dec 14 (ANTARA) - Social media as the result of a revolution in communication and information technology has its positive and negative aspects that have to be wary of. Speaking at a function to open the 2nd International Islam Media Conference here on Monday, the vice president said the positive aspect of social media was among other to help strengthen the civil society. He said the social media also enable all people to have freedom of expression and speech, including criticizing the government directly and openly. "The social media is of great advantage to the people to enrich the practice of democracy in the country," the vice president said, adding that Indonesia was known as one of the great users of social media such as face-book and twitter. Vice President Boediono noted that through the social media the people could actively participate in corruption eradication effort, bureaucratic reform, law enforcement, and good governance. According to him, the presence of social media could bring Indonesia into an open government. But in addition to the positive side of the social media, the vice president also underlined the negative aspect to the children and younger generation. The vice president pointed out that the social media also posed three serious threats to the children and younger generation namely the view of extremism and radicalism, drug abuse, and pornography. Therefore the vice president noted that it was very important for parents, teachers, and religious figures to always give positive guidelines to children and younger generation in the use of social media.

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