Social Media started in year 2003-2004. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter were there since then. Today we can’t imagine even a single day without social media. It has become integral part of our life. It not only make us connected with our contacts but also provide knowledge about things which we don’t know through other mediums.

Social Media helped a lot in these tough times of COVID. It not only provide vital information world wide but also becomes medium of occupation too. Earlier it was just used to stay connected with people who are far from us. But today when people were deprived of meeting each other due to COVID. It becomes life line for all of us to share information, to stay connected, to gain knowledge and much more. Children were not going to school since last one and a half year. And this social media platforms provide them with creative world where they can show their creativity by making wonderful videos, learn music, art and so on.

Many gained and learned new skills. Earlier also Social Media was a vast world but also misused to share hate speech, to spread rumours etc. This time also many rumours about COVID were spread so much misinformation was spread but wise were those who stick to the facts and ignored all the rumours. We all faced this situation around the world.

Social Media played a much responsible role in times of COVID. When we were staying alone at our homes it gives us light of hope. It makes us smile, it boost our moral to stay positive. Now omicron is spreading and still we are not safe. The news from one country to another spread like fire, this is the role played by Social Media.

We were able to help each other just because of social media. We were at our homes but was spreading information like contact numbers of people providing free food, things to do, contact numbers of medical facilities around our areas. We were and still are in touch with other countries and watching how each country’s coping with this new variant of COVID. Learning from each other, what to do next. How to be prepared for future in terms of medical facilities. A simple message can do wonders. So, let’s spread positivity again. Social Media itself becomes world of happiness.

Vaccination drives are still going on and booster dose is also being recommended. We can’t help in making the vaccine, but we can spread information by just a simple message to our near and dear ones to please be safe, follow social distancing, wear mask and wash hands. Try not to be a part of huge gatherings.

Social Media is also used to share jokes to lighten up the mood but many sensible people use it to provide help and spread humanity by which many people get inspired and follow their foot steps. It opens up doors for so many to get help from these warriors.

Social Media is a busy space in India, where almost all the internet access is via mobile phones. It’s increasingly common for people to use social media to ask for help, over WhatsApp , Facebook, Twitter and other platforms. So when people were short of oxygen supply thousands of responders’ step in, tracking and verifying sources of oxygen, drugs, beds. They connected those asking for help to non-profit, on ground volunteers, suppliers.

You might be wandering that from last few blogs I am continuously talking about COVID. Yes, because it has affected our lives so badly, it affected our lifestyle, our mindset, our businesses, studies no one in this world is being spared by this deadly virus. Be it young or old, rich or poor, healthy or ill. This only thing inspired me to write about how social media played its role. Earlier social media was not considered as a good thing, it was thing of people who want to pass their time but now peoples’ thinking have changed drastically.

Though some people might misuse social media with fake accounts but overall it is a very precious medium to be connected and be creative.

I give a thumbs up to social media. And what about you?

Ramneet Kaur