Facebook : Let's Talk !

In the age of cybercryptocurrency and cyberbullying, social media has become quite a quintessential component of our lives. From Facebook checkins to hashtagging the shit out of photoposts on Instagram, from dog faceted Snapchat filters to sharing photostories and not so subtle whatsapp statuses, it has become quite a mandate for us to let the world know of what we are doing. By world, I'm referring to the narcissistic group of individuals that we call a social group, whose judgement/verdict on our activities have somewhat taken over our lives.

However, the same that amuses us has constantaneously proven to be matter of utmost concern. Privacy and security breaches especially with the advent of another world of hacking have started impacting individuals globally. Content is free and ready-to-view out there. The dark web is not a secret anymore. And let me tell you there is no bat costumed vigilante lurking in this darkness.

In the cyberworld, due to the availability of any form of information, it is a mandate for guardians to monitor. Social messaging apps like Snapdeal ? Nope. I mean Snapchat, wechat, hike, telegram, facebook messenger, blackberry messenger, and then the Facebook acquired Whatsapp. These social messaging apps though seem simple but are the pioneers of a paradigm shift from text messaging to digital/electronic text messaging. You can observe this phenomena yourself. When was the first time you had ever used/ had such a mobile device in your hand ? In this electronic age, a child as young as of the age of 6 is easily able to use a smart-phone and better if I may add, than the ones who bought it in the first place. Is this a simple phenomenon of a transfer of acquired traits to one as hereditary traits or are children of this age much smarter than their parents ?

Whatever, may be the actual reason remains unanswered. However, what is more appalling is that more than technology itself that allows one to make use of social media, the latter has creeped up on one's life so deep and irrespective of age. 90% of parents worldwide do not have an idea of what content their offspring, at a tender and vulnerable age, is being exposed to, online which makes the young and the youth very much susceptible and exploitable. Hence, cyberbullying and other forms of cybercrimes involving the youth have become a everyday occurence.

Facebook, Inc. in order to deal with such risks in the trade have decided to come up with a new messaging app named, Talk. The mobile application will allow parents to keep an eye on the people their children are in contact with. One can look at it as Facebook messenger but with parental controls. Talk is independent of the Facebook application thus allowing teens to use it without the requirement of a Facebook profile. Now, some teens find it a bit imposing and a breach of privacy and may even call it Facebook Stalk but that doesn't change the ever growing need for monitoring especially in this age.