This weekend I have been very upset about Baby P. As a mum, I struggle to understand how anyone can fail to protect and cherish your own child. A child's love of its mother is unconditional. A child is powerless. A child just wants to be loved, sheltered and protected.
Alot of mums feel overwhelmed by the sadness of this story, it seemed to be the biggest topic on the social networks last weekend. One group on Facebook (with over 5000 members) used it's collective investigative power to expose the identities of the mum and 'carers' of Baby P. Another group which was less investigativly inclined was entitled entitled "Death is too good for [the mother's name], torture the *** that killed Baby P." Instinctively I felt that this was deserved retribution. But then I wondered how this could be a good thing.
Do Facebook vigilantes or any other social network have the right or power to bring justice to those who 'deserve' it? Is it a case of mob rule or just desserts being served? Is this the downside to a democritisation of media? Most Facebook groups focus on the benign and trivial: I was amused to see a group who want John Sergeant be their granddad. This is Britain at its eccentric best. A disrespect for the rules of "Strictly Come Dancing" may be a bit of harmless fun, but what happens when Facebook communities start to openly challenge the rule of law?
The role of social networks has changed. No longer are they restricted to being a 'social utility' connecting friends for a big night out. Facebook's users are a collection of single-issue political-parties, each akin to the gun or knife-control lobbying groups.
Once upon a time, you needed to be in position of power to make things happen. Now, you and me can make a change for better or worse simply by asserting opinions online - on anything we believe passionately about. Whether its to bring back Laura back to the X Factor or or to send a virtual lynch-mob after the villain of the moment. Social networks are proving themselves as serious enabling tools that put power into groups who were once considered to disparate, too obscure or too apathetic to become involved with a political process.
But are we witnessing technology enabling democracy at its best?
Social media networks are not the place to dispense (social) justice. It just reminds me of the case of the paediatrician forced out of her home by vandals who thought her job title meant the same as "paedophile". Mob rule.
www.guardian.co.uk/.../childprotection.society
I'm not sure I believe in the power of social media networks to affect societal change beyond novelty and smart subversive marketing campaigns such as the Wispa comeback. I think social media is good at making people feel empowered and having stake in how the world is governed, but the hype is still a long long way from the reality. The best example of people power in the media I've seen this year was the campaign mounted by the Daily Mail and followed by the Sun to get banks to pass on cuts in interest rates. It worked. And prior to that the Sun and its successful Starbucks/taps campaign. And they're on the case again with Baby P. Social networks are an extra voice in all of this.
interesting point darren. i do think though that there is a collective strength and momentum that comes from social networks such as facebook. That impels people to change things. i would say that they are just as powerful if not more than the media. look at obama's online activity. i would like to think that social networks did have a big impact on obama becoming president.
I agree that Obama's social media activity was impressive but I don't think it carried him to office. If you look at the states that Obama won every single one without exception had a below 35% approval rating for George W. Bush. Every state without expection that the Democrats lost had an above 35% approval rating for Bush. The social media stuff gave the Obama campaign momentum but he would've won with or without it I think.
Belinda Parmar
Blogging for:
Member since: 17 Aug 2008
Last login: 18 Nov 2009
Total Posts: 54
