University Don, Sam Nwosu Identifies Prevention, Mitigation Strategies Of Social Media Abuse At Asa Summit 2024

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A University don, Dr. Samuel Eze Chima Nwosu, has identified prevention and mitigation strategies of social media abuse.

Speaking during a summit organised by a socio-cultural organisation, Asa Development Union, ADU, at the Chyvik Model Secondary School, Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, on Saturday, Nwosu highlighted the fact that while social media had revolutionised communication, connectivity, and information sharing, its dark side, which is social media abuse, had become a pressing issue in the society.

In his paper entitled, “Social Media Abuses: Implications and Legal Consequences”, he stated that online abuses ranged from sending unwanted messages to people repeatedly, using digital platforms to intimidate or belittle, monitoring or tracking someone online, spreading hateful or discriminatory content to stealing personal information or impersonating, adding that there were criminal, civil or administrative consequences to social media abuse.

A cross section of participants at the event

He said that social media abuse could have severe consequences on individuals, communities and the society at large, stressing that emotional distress, reputation damage, social isolation self harm, economic losses, decreased productivity and social unrest could result from social media abuses.

Nwosu, who is a senior lecturer with the Nigerian British University, Abia State, pointed out that social media abuse could be combated through educating users about responsible social media behaviour, monitoring and enforcing WhatsApp platform policies and collaborating with law enforcement and mental health professionals to deal with social media abuses.

On best practices to adopt to deal with social media abuses, Nwosu recommended that individuals should set boundaries, block or report abusive accounts, document incidents, seek support from friends, family, or professionals, avoid engaging with trolls or abusive users, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication and regularly review online presence.

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