Day in and day out, the realization that probably a whole new world of ‘fakes’ exists and unfolds exponentially in new forms and avatars is frightening. Having grown up in a pre-cyber, pre-electronic era where mobiles, internet, and even televisions were non-existent and now coming to terms with these rapid technological developments often proves demanding and exhausting. The twenty-first century appears to have one too many digital Frankensteins on the loose creating havoc and ruining not just peace of mind, money, and dignity but lives as well. Innumerable virtual scams, frauds, and deep fakes seem to envelop and engulf us especially the unaccustomed and uninitiated ones to the cybernetic world.
Consumers of digital content seem to face a number of issues ranging from trust, anger, anxiety, helplessness, confusion to name a few. One reason being the digital ecosystem apparently is conducive and prone to manipulations, tempering, doctoring, polarisations, proliferation of ‘Echo chambers’, and the like. A parallel deep dark world seems to be spinning and spewing venom, and hate, feeding the insecurities of the gullible masses. Add to it Artificial Intelligence. A.I is the primary challenge and peril facing mankind. In fact, Elon Musk has warned that Artificial Intelligence is “one of the biggest threats” to humanity. There can be a conscious pause not a total stop to technological upgradation.
As per Data report, 5.30 billion people worldwide used the internet at the start of Q4 2023, equivalent to a whopping 65.7 percent of the world’s total population. As more and more people join the digital bandwagon, corresponding accountability is by far missing. The digital agency being subjective varies from person to person. The ability to comprehend, interpret and make decisions in the use and consumption of e-contents is becoming a daunting task. Familiarity and literacy with technology alone no longer suffices one has to be aware, alert, and moreover prudent while making decision with respect to circulation and further consumption of the digital content that is easily available and accessible at our fingertips.
More often than not, whatever piles up on our desktop or in our digital feeds, demanding attention is conveniently accepted and dealt with the least of our time and mind. Such a quick, instant, and often mechanical approach adds complexity to the cyber equation. Add to it the possibility of creating and generating own digital content without corresponding authenticity and accountability. Furthermore, the lack of formal screening mechanism, bypassing regulatory institutional structures, and overshadowing the conventional news houses worsen matters.
Acknowledging and embracing digital agency and accountability is important. The cycle of blind acceptance, consumption, and further circulation has to be disrupted. The ability and more so patience to screen and filter contents and to distinguish between creditable and potentially fake content is very much required. This has to be developed, reinforced, and sustained as a personal and social commitment.
Thus, as digital consumers, it’s our moral duty to cross-verify e contents that we access, consume, and distribute. Fact-finding, researching and validation from authentic sources including government, established media houses, and primary sources is important. If need be one should not hesitate to report any mal instances. Educational Institutions also play a prominent role in guiding youngsters to navigate in this dangerous digital world without being overwhelmed by it’s contents. Vigilant members of society, policymakers, and governments, have to pitch in and work unitedly for the generation, circulation and control of cyber content in the welfare and well-being of societies and its affiliates.
