adminPetros Zivengwa Correspondent
The proliferation of digital tools and instant protocols of communication has for better and for worse changed the way of life of people in Zimbabwe and around the globe. Much as globalisation is concerned, this digital age brought with it the contraction of time and space, and at most compromised the social well-being of the present society.
Cellphones, computers, smart-phones among other digital tools are used to connect people on social media much to the delight of the upcoming generations.
Whatsapp, Facebook among other social networks tools have been touted as revolutionary ways to communication.
They constitute simple and cheap way of sending messages.
Fountain of Ministries church Pastor Alfred Mtengwa said that there was nothing wrong with social networks if people try to use them correctly.
He said problems arose when people abuse them.
“In Churches social networks are good in that congregates can form their groups to discuss affairs of the church for example groups of choir, church leaders, communicating meetings among other events in the church,” he said.
He regretted that some church members could abuse the social networks to mislead others.
Some people use it to send pornographic material.
Brighton Musevenzo, a student at University of Zimbabwe (UZ) said young people’s “unrestricted” abuse of social media is causing moral decadence.
“Youth are much involved in sending pornographic materials on whatsapp which is not only anti-social but also a serious crime in the face of justice,” he said.
He added that it is surprising how these social networks are becoming major socialization agencies where youth spend most of their time on.
“Whatsapp is everywhere, in Kombis ,in the lecture rooms in the library at sports or even when one is driving, maybe l should say people are not addicted to whatsapp but the truth is that they are after in every second, every minute and indeed every hour,” he said.
It is terrible.
The Government banned high school students to bring cell phones at school growing indications that it was reducing the performance of most students.
Mrs Precious Kuzomunhu a senior teacher at a local school said that school children had a habit of exchanging sexually explicit messages and listening to music at the expense of school work.
“It is disheartening how children abuse these social networks, what pains is that even if we do not allow them to bring the cellphones, their parents are the ones who give them such cellphone but also some girls are ending up in prostitution in pursuit for expensive and prestigious cell phones,” she said.
Children create several groups on Whatsapp of which they use them to send sexual material instead of using them to discuss hot and challenging subject in their education.
It is no secret that most young couples today met on either whatsapp or facebook.
Tafadzwa Fakundo from Chitungwiza argues that most families are being dealt with over the social networks.
“I think we are moving to a point where lobola can be discussed on whatsapp and the money transferred by ecocash, the moral framework of the family as the backbone of the society relations is dilapidating beyond doubt,” he said.
He said it was vital for Government to tighten screws and monitor the abuse of social networks.
The moral framework of the family as an agent of socialisation is vanishing.
Mrs Mejury Nyaruwembo said that social networks are affecting the affairs of the family.
“Problems in most families emanate from on social networks and issues of cheating are being spearheaded by these social networks, it is no doubt that platforms like whatsapp and facebook are somehow private and people can chat freely, they give people platforms to talk instantly,” she said.
“Through whatsapp, face book or any other social network, people are cheating, and they even communicate with their small house in the present of their spouses.”
Online Reporter