The Impact of Social Media on National Security and Democracy
Social media has become an extremely effective tool for spreading anarchy, escalating violence, and creating mutual animosity within society. Certain anti-national citizens, destructive NGOs, and other elements misuse this medium to spread poison and instability in society.
Print media does not easily cause widespread confusion in the country because newspapers are published only once a day. Consequently, their immediate and broad impact remains limited. Similarly, Doordarshan (television media) cannot cause such chaos because audiences must watch news on television at specific times.
However, social media is available on our mobile phones 24 hours a day. As a result, false, inflammatory, and factless information spreads at an extremely rapid pace. Its contribution to shaping public opinion and altering people's views is extremely dangerous. Particularly, India's younger generation has fallen under the influence of social media; therefore, its prudent use is a dire necessity today.
Over the past few years, the nature of protests in India has changed drastically. Previously, protests were led by established political parties; now, public opinion is being shaped by social media, digital influencers, self-proclaimed activists, and individuals who gained popularity through the internet.
Systematic campaigns are being run to create distrust in democratic institutions such as the Election Commission, the Government, and the Judiciary. These campaigns are not limited to India; their repercussions have begun to appearing abroad as well.
Under the guise of ongoing protests in India, the United Nations Human Rights Council, certain U.S. Senators, and European media outlets have started trying to interfere in India's internal affairs. They have no right to interfere in India's internal matters. The Indian public opposes such interference.
India is capable of solving its own challenges by its own strength. India is a capable nation. It does not need sermons from the United Nations, some "wise" individuals in America, or the European media.
The Changing Nature of Protests in India
Today, a series of protests on various issues is underway across the country. Youths in many states, including Maharashtra, are taking to the streets in large numbers. Many participants in these protests are not affiliated with any traditional political party. Social media has become their primary tool for organization, dissemination, and public support.
Whether it is the issue of alleged irregularities in the NEET examination or the protest against SIR, every topic is made a subject of national discussion through social media.
The Influence of Social Media and the "Echo Chamber"
The issue of social media algorithms is crucial. On platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or X (Twitter), users are repeatedly shown content that aligns with their existing views.
If a person views anti-government content, they begin to see increasingly more anti-government videos, posts, and messages. Conversely, a pro-government user sees more content supporting the government. As a result, both groups develop the illusion that their own opinion is the most popular among the majority.
This process increases societal division, leading each group to believe that they alone are on the side of truth.
The "Attention Economy": The Real Economics Behind Social Media
The concept of the "Attention Economy" drives social media economics. Social media companies make money by selling users' attention.
The more time people spend on social media, the higher the platform's profit. Therefore, emotional, provocative, aggressive, and shocking content is prioritized over balanced and well-studied discussions.
An old adage in journalism says, "Bad News is Good News." Content that triggers anger, outrage, fear, or shock goes viral much faster. Social media platforms actively encourage this type of content.
Why Are Youths Attracted?
Social media creates a specific psychological effect among youths. If a young person participates in a protest, their video goes viral, they argue with the police, or they make an inflammatory statement, they achieve sudden fame.
Because of this recognition, many youths begin to consider themselves "national heroes." Millions of views and thousands of reactions on social media give them the confidence that they have the capacity to bring about major societal change.
Seeing examples of political upheavals in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or Nepal, some youths may feel that a similar regime change can be brought about in India.
Over the past few years, attempts have been made multiple times to spread anarchy and violence in India. Issues such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the National Population Register (NPR), or the farmers' protests were misused to create instability in the country. At that time, some self-proclaimed leaders led these protests; for a while, they seemed very powerful and influential. But now their true nature has been exposed.
The social media "influencers," protest leaders, various social organizations, and self-styled activists have now faded into history. Those who tried to divide the country, bring anarchy to the streets, and inflame people's emotions are ignored today. Their "leadership" was fleeting; however, their motives were destructive.
The dangerous consequence of the ongoing protests could be that the pace of the country's economic development slows down for some time. Statistics published in certain newspapers indicate that the economic loss to Delhi alone due to various protests amounts to between 2,000 and 2,500 crore rupees per day. Obstructing India's progress, halting investments, and tarnishing the country's image are certainly in the interest of India's enemies.
Therefore, it is essential to understand how to control such protests in the shortest possible time, who the provocative forces behind them are, and how to take control of the false, poisonous, and anti-national propaganda machinery on social media.
State apparatuses must take firm and timely action against forces that threaten national security, economic progress, and social unity. Conspiracies driven by anti-national motives, giving way to violence, and going against national interests can never be tolerated.
Revenue Sources of Social Media Companies
Although social media appears free, a massive business model operates behind the scenes. The primary revenue sources for these companies include:
Advertisements
Promoted Content
Paid services to increase followers and reach
Payment-based tools to push videos and posts to wider audiences
Often, metrics regarding popularity, views, and reach are inflated and presented at a cost.
The Issue of National Security
The misuse of social media is an organized form of warfare.
Social media can manufacture public opinion.
Foreign influential actors can impact Indian society.
Distrust can be sown in democratic institutions.
Large-scale protests can be directed externally.
Consequently, the government needs to view social media not merely through the lens of freedom of speech, but also from the perspective of national security.
The Example of China
Western social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram do not operate in China. Instead, there is a government-controlled alternative digital system. Therefore, widespread instability is not generated through social media in China.
Suggested Measures for the Government
Concrete measures to regulate social media include:
Special Tax on Social Media Companies: Additional taxes should be imposed on companies like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X doing business in India. The revenue generated from supplementary taxes in other countries amounts to thousands of crores of rupees, and the Indian government should implement similar measures.
Taxation on Social Media Earnings: The taxation framework should be strengthened for influencers, YouTubers, and individuals earning income through social media mediums.
Usage-Based Fees: Consider implementing fees for heavy users or those who post content at high volumes, similar to models used elsewhere.
Restrictions on Minors: Stricter rules regarding social media usage for children under 16 should be considered, following examples like Australia.
The Need for Social Media Regulation
Print media and TV channels are subject to various laws and regulations, whereas social media faces minimal control.
The following steps should be implemented:
Instantly removing videos that promote violence.
Preventing photos of riots and vandalism from going viral before they spread.
Taking action against anti-national campaigns or campaigns that create societal tension.
Compelling social media companies to comply with domestic laws.
Experiments in Europe, Britain, and Australia
Some countries have introduced digital taxes, others have imposed age limits, and some have placed additional responsibilities on social media companies. Although these measures have not been 100% successful, many positive results have emerged.
Starlink and Digital Sovereignty
Ultimate control over the country's internet and communication infrastructure must remain with the Government of India. Looking at Starlink's role in the Russia-Ukraine war, it is evident that leaving critical communication systems under the control of private or foreign entities poses a dangerous threat to national security.
Conclusion
Understanding protests like SIR and CJP requires more than just a political perspective. It is necessary to comprehensively consider social media, the economics behind it, the psychological impact on youth, foreign influence, and national security dimensions.
Social media is no longer just a medium of communication; it has transformed into a strategic asset capable of shaping public opinion, directing protests, influencing democratic institutions, and impacting national security. Therefore, India needs to develop a more effective digital policy dedicated to national interests.
The misuse of social media is not just misinformation; it is an organized war. Through fake news, out-of-context videos, inflammatory posts, and anti-national propaganda, the fabric of society's trust is destroyed. This war is not fought on a physical battlefield, but on every mobile screen.
To stop this toxic propaganda, firm, immediate, and massive steps must be taken to monitor posts, videos, groups, and profiles on social media. Technology companies must be held strictly accountable for immediately removing anti-national content, material inciting violence, and content threatening social unity. Rigorous legal action must be taken against companies that refuse to cooperate.
Mechanisms to detect, block, and take legal action against accounts and propaganda networks spreading fake news must be strengthened. Furthermore, digital literacy among citizens should be enhanced to cultivate the habit of verifying information before spreading it.
Otherwise, anarchic and destructive elements will continue to use social media to spread chaos, animosity, and instability in India. For the sake of the country's security and social unity, social media is not merely a tool for entertainment—it is a vital national security arena, and it cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of the enemy.
