ERESTINA DASHI
Student, University Aleksandër Moisiu, Durres
Freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. As such, is the basis of democracy and the well-being of people. Also, freedom of expression on social media remains mainly unlimited.
Expressing opinions both verbally and non-verbally (such as on social media) has a kind of moral responsibility to each individual. We express our opinion freely, we address social topics, and we see it as a much simpler communication bridge when dealing with a wider group of people.
Today, the importance of these media is growing. Influence on certain individuals has a higher risk. Public figures are followed in these media and as such their opinion brings a lot of reactions. But does this “free” way of expression affects individuals, or does it positively affect a certain group? Are there positive reactions or more criticism and attacks on an opinion? What is the reaction in cases where there are attacks on these media platforms? How safe is it and in what way cyber-attacks affect the emotional state of the person that is being attacked? These are questions that are constantly asked, in one form or another.
The digital age has extended to its horizon every social dimension of man and not only. I will call the man of this era the “animal of artificial intelligence.” Every day more and more we are robotising every possible direction of life with technology. Communication is happening more with technology. Every possible direction of human life has to do with technology. Is it a good or a bad thing? “Every good in this world has evil behind it”. Certainly, the relief that technology has given to human life, communication without spatial limitation, and erasing the concept of distance are very positive benefits. On the other hand, some real emotions that people experience tend to “die”, and verbal communication tends to be avoided. This is happening day by day because social media gives more freedom to expression rather than to the true identity of the people who express their opinions. It shows the positive side of thinking things freely, but on the other hand, people are venting the “duff” of daily worries by sometimes violating someone else’s identity!
Young people are becoming more and more dependent and affectionate after social networks and for sharing their opinions online. Also today, the phenomenon of cyber-attacks is prevalent, which affects the ones who freely express their opinion (without giving malicious opinions that affect individuals, groups, or a certain community).
Teenagers today are the key to this problematic link with cyber-attacks because they are more vulnerable! We cannot consider freedom of expression as a way of attacking someone on social media. Even though this is not punishable by law in many countries, it is something intolerable! Because it affects the identity, well-being, and psychological state of every individual!
Even if freedom of expression exists, its misinterpretation and misuse can leave inevitable consequences for other individuals. Criticism is acceptable in any society but freedom of speech ends where the freedom of another individual is violated.