Experts call for responsible use of social media

Sharjah - Ramadan Majlis in Sharjah discusses power of social media.

The use of social media and messaging apps should be harnessed to ensure that those are being used responsibly in the interest of the society, said experts at the Ramadan Majlis organised by the Sharjah Media Centre.
Opening the discussion, Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, social media activist, consultant dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, emphasised that social media like Snapchat are powerful tools and they need to be used with caution. Pointing out the convenient platform being offered by social media for everyone to instantly air and share their views, he called for their responsible use and monitoring by specialists.
Citing his own example, Dr Al Hammadi said that social media can be an invaluable tool in medical field, helping both patients and doctors. Social media can be effectively used for diagnosis and peer consultation, he added.
Talking about his experience of using social media, popular Saudi media figure and presenter Badr Al Zidan said his life was changed after reading the book, 'The Law of Attraction', seven years ago. After watching the popular Arab media figure and broadcaster George Kordahi, he wanted to be a presenter but did not know how to go about realising his dream. "This is when I turned to social media for help and here I am," he said, pointing out he was one of the first people in the region to successfully use and harness the power of social media.
The popular Saudi media figure with a large number of followers said every era witnesses the emergence of tools that are specific to it and social media apps are the signature tools of our age. He praised Snapchat as the smartest social media app around, saying it has been immensely successful because of a number of reasons - privacy; short span of time and ease of use.
Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE journalist, said "we have to be careful in using social media". "Every society has its own norms and code of conduct. It is important for experts and specialists to ensure that the power of social media is used with responsibility. Rumours can spread fast on social media," he warned.
Venicia, popular social media activist and media figure from Kuwait with more than a million followers, said she had been an early convert to the power of social media and started using them without the knowledge of her conservative family. She compared social media to a house with many rooms, doors and windows which everyone uses for protection against rain and sun, but few think about its own wellbeing.
She underscored the need for Arab societies to think years ahead in order to exploit the immense potential of social media. "Snapchat has become one of the most popular apps in the region and around the world with almost everyone using it."
Munther Al Muzki, Emirati media figure and sports presenter, who moderated the discussion, said that the UAE Government and its various ministries had been the first to realise and channelise the immense potential of social media. "Nearly all of UAE's leaders and senior government figures are on social media and use them extensively." He cited the example of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who has been one of the earliest users of Snapchat in the region and has successfully used it for his fantastic tribute to Dubai.
Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, and a number of senior government and media figures attended the fourth session of popular Sharjah Ramadan Majlis. Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, formally announced the launch of SMC's Snapchat account.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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