The Unwanted Opinions: A Reflection on Social Media and Humanity

As I sipped my morning tea and scrolled through the news, a familiar thought struck me—one that many of us have likely pondered at some point. The growing influence of social media in our lives has created a power shift, one that seems to dictate not only how we live but also how we perceive the world around us.

While catching up on my daily news, I noticed something unsettling: the fine line between journalism and social media influence is blurring. News anchors, who once stood as credible voices of society, are now behaving more like influencers. Take, for instance, the recent media coverage of the Maha Kumbh, a festival deeply rooted in spirituality, devotion, and equality. What should have been a celebration of culture and faith turned into a social media spectacle. The spiritual essence was overshadowed by the pursuit of likes, shares, and trending hashtags.

This phenomenon raises a pressing question: Where are we heading with this?

The power of social media, once a tool for connection and information, is now being used to showcase personal lives and material wealth in ways that feel performative. Influencers flaunt house tours, luxury lifestyles, and intimate moments, turning their lives into a public display. While it's their personal choice to share what they wish, one can’t help but wonder about the broader implications. What are we teaching the younger generation? That validation lies in likes and followers?

A particular news story caught my attention: the tale of an IIT graduate who renounced his career to embrace a life of spirituality. Dubbed “IIT Baba,” his decision to find inner peace became a topic of intense media scrutiny. His personal journey was dissected and judged by people who have no stake in his life. Do we, as a society, have the right to turn someone’s personal choices into our entertainment?

Another disturbing incident involved a young girl named Monalisa, selling handmade beaded jewelry during the Maha Kumbh. Instead of celebrating her entrepreneurial spirit, she became a target of unwanted influencers who sought to exploit her for likes. They dragged her into the limelight without consent and even mocked sadhus in their desperate bid for attention.

This is where we’ve arrived—treating humans as mere tools for entertainment and profit.

Social media is a powerful force, and it has undoubtedly transformed our lives in many positive ways. But if we continue down this path, misusing it for superficial gains, we risk losing our humanity.

Let us pause and reflect: are we truly leveraging this power for the right reasons? Or are we allowing it to erode the very essence of empathy and respect that binds us together?

It’s time to reclaim our narrative, to focus on genuine connection, meaningful content, and ethical storytelling. Because, at the end of the day, our humanity is worth more than any number of likes or followers.