Cultivating the Culture of Online Respect and Responsibility

I never intended to involve myself in this matter, but an incident yesterday compelled me to address it.


While playing chess online last night, I encountered an individual from a Western country who continuously subjected me to verbal abuse and even insulted my country. I couldn't help but wonder if he would say the same things to my face. I highly doubt it. The anonymity provided by the online realm gives him the freedom to behave in such a manner, knowing that there is minimal chance of discovering his true identity. Unfortunately, this behavior is not uncommon. Fake news, malicious rumors, and gossip seem to thrive on the web, making it increasingly difficult to discern what is genuine from what is fabricated.


We must remember that children are observing our actions and learning from us. As the first generation of web users, it is our responsibility to create a clean and safe environment for future generations. However, we have allowed the internet to become a cesspool of junk rather than a useful resource.


This is not to say that we are unaware of the power of the web and social media. It has brought justice to ordinary individuals in numerous instances, saved lives through crowdfunding, revolutionized personalized education, and connected people worldwide, transcending borders.


I recently read about Sir Isaac Newton, who published his book "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" in 1687 while quarantined at his country home during the second wave of the plague. Imagine the limited resources available to him for the discovery of the laws of motion, which are still applicable in various scientific domains today. Apart from the books he possessed and his own intellect, there were no other sources of information. If he needed assistance from collaborators, opinions from colleagues, or details from his publisher, he had to wait for months to receive letters. Despite these constraints, he altered the course of scientific research.


A similar story can be attributed to Charles Darwin, who collected data for 17 years before publishing his concept of natural selection. Researchers throughout history faced similar limitations. Now, consider how their work could have been enhanced had they possessed the access to Google and the web that we enjoy today. Their moral compasses were often more robust than ours.


Yesterday's incident prompted me to establish some personal rules:

  1. Before commenting, take a moment to consider how the recipient might perceive it.
  2. Even if something appears humorous, think about how it reflects on your character. What do other readers think of you?
  3. Refrain from sharing fake news without verifying its authenticity. Please ensure that the information is accurate before sharing or forwarding it.
  4. Avoid spreading negative news, as our television and news media outlets already fulfill that role full-time.
  5. Movie stars seek to remain in the limelight and will do anything to maintain their fame. Don't adopt their agendas as your own, even if they happen to be your favorite actors.
  6. Your beliefs, religion, and political standpoint are personal choices. Avoid imposing them on others.
  7. Don't be swayed by flashy or intriguing headlines. Only read news or gather information from reliable sources.
  8. Tag others only if they are directly involved or have given consent.
  9. We do not have the right to share our children's pictures online, as we cannot predict how social media will be used in the future.
  10. Promote positivity and love to the best of your ability.

I have learned these lessons the hard way, stumbling and making mistakes along the way. I hope they prove useful to someone else.

Peace and love. 

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