The following are some of the top social media platforms in the world today. Many of you will be members of at least one of them. In general, we could say that the top few listed would probably feature in the shortlist for most people.
1. Facebook - 2.7 billion monthly active users (MAUs).
2. Instagram - 1.2 billion MAUs.
3. Twitter
4. TikTok
5. YouTube
6. WeChat
7. WhatsApp
8. MeWe
9. Tumblr
10. Reddit
Some of these platforms have billions of active users, it is not too hard to conclude that social media has become the real powerhouse of the 21st Century. Those who control such platforms have the way and the means to control the narrative on any given subject, at any given time, and to affect changes anywhere in the world which suits their own ideology.
Most Governments have been too slow, or basically incompetent to do anything to regulate these giant machines of mass conversion. The last decade has been a freebie to social media companies. In this time, they have systematically inculcated a paradigm shift in the psyche of people. People (users of social media platforms to be precise) have also been negligent in their own duty of care and have blindly followed almost anything and everything that comes out of these social media led narratives.
We have seen that even ex-President Trump has now been banned on facebook and twitter. Think about it, the leader of the most powerful nation on this planet, elected democratically by millions of US citizens, banned by an unelected CEO of a social media platform.
Some of you will be aware that many of these platforms are used proactively by anti-India and anti-Hindu forces. People feel these platforms encourage rogue behaviour mirroring the philosophy and ideology of their owners. If true, the real global killer virus might well be these undemocratic platforms.
India recently brought in some basic rules for social media, and whilst a few of the social media platforms accepted the new requirements, it seems Twitter showed India the proverbial two fingers. To be honest, why not? After all, the largest democracy in the world is nothing but an impotent giant, bullied by commercially vested interest groups, and a confused leadership that does not seem to appreciate the damage these rogues inflict on India. In the past (and even today) India allowed parasitic overseas organisations under the guise of NGOs to come into India. Many of these NGOs had only one motive, to use foreign money to promote conversions and to instigate anarchy. We have seen ample proof as various anti-India toolkits get exposed. And we have also seen evidence of the violence they generate within India at a moment’s notice.
In my view time has come for India to take a strong stance against these enemies of the state. Bring in new tougher regulations. With that, also change the tax structure to ensure that all these entities pay an additional levy for the privilege of being in India. Make the CEO, the management board, and owners of these companies criminally liable so there is no escape or recourse for them to hide anywhere in the world. Demand a security bond such that if these companies break the law, the loss to them will be so significant, that it will ensure either compliance or an end for their company.
Your pride for your country should not come after your country becomes great; your country becomes great because of your pride in it. It’s time for this emerging giant to become a real giant.
