Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1251774
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 MAY 2020 OPINION THE use of social media in the 21st cen- tury has soared upwards in an ever-in- creasing digital world. Anyone not having access to it, or not using it, runs parallel to being illiterate. This is not literally true, but surely people not making use of social media would render themselves at a disad- vantage and are, in certain cases, even laughed at and ridiculed. Social media nowadays is considered the norm and we must adapt. Like everything in life, social media has its advantages and disadvantages. It all depends how this technological tool is used and what one wants to achieve by using it. Many consider social media to be the perfect modern way of com- munication, how to keep abreast with what is happening in the outside world, a modern way of promoting oneself. But it can also be used to instigate hate, bullying, stalking as well as many other related forms of abuse. Without wanting to sound conden- scending, it is a known fact that the old- er generations are the least technology savvy. They were brought up in a differ- ent world. To be honest, even I some- times struggle to keep up with the con- tinuous technological advancements. In todays' world, social media has tak- en over nearly all forms of communica- tion. It is easy and free. In fact, during these surreal times of COVID- 19, em- phasis is being made to keep in touch with family, friends and all those close to our heart using social media. This, however, pushed those who are less fa- miliar with social media into some level of frustration, isolation, or rather, sol- itude. Solitude emarginates people from so- ciety. Many a time people live in soli- tude because of circumstances and not by choice. Therefore, as mentioned before, those who aren't familiar with social media possibly communicate less which means they are in a higher risk of solitude. In normal circumstances we find many of the older generation experi- encing solitude, particularly during the extraordinary circumstances we are currently living in. One might argue its up to them to adapt. Its up to them to learn. That argument would be valid if society had presented the same chal- lenges and opportunities to all equally. There are many who, for different rea- sons, were not given the opportunity to have a proper education, some cannot afford it, while others tend to resist change. Living in solitude is not a pleasant experience. In the digital world, where nearly everything is accessed online, even the use of a debit card, checking a bank account credit balance – added to many being untrustworthy by nature or over protective of their privacy – people tend to be at a loss of how to cope. It is true that adapting depends on the individual but it is up to the rest of the society to see that no one falls by the wayside. It is up to us to see that no one slides into solitude because of circum- stances beyond their control. This, for them, is a hurdle. It isn't insurmounta- ble but it needs to be addressed. In my opinion the advancements in the digital world, social media and technol- ogy, contributed to the downside of so- ciety. When people cannot deal with the technology, they feel incapable and infe- rior. This is not the case. And it is up to us to see that everyone is on board and that everyone has an equal opportunity to access the world we are living in. Globalisation and advancement in technology came at a cost, including disregarding those living in the periph- ery of society. Governments around the world should see that everyone is given the opportunity to acclimatise them- selves to technology. Having said that, I am not insensitive to those who live in solitude because of the lack of access to the digital world. But it means that I must work harder, willingly, so no one feels left behind. Ivan Bartolo Social media, the digital world and solitude Ivan Bartolo is a Member of Parliament for the Nationalist Party