The Kano State Commissioner of Information, Honourable Halilu Baba Dantiye, has said that internet and social media have come to stay, urging youths to use it positively to hold public officeholders to account, as well as impacting the progress and development of the society.
This is just as he called on the youth of the state to make positive and impactful use of social media.
He made the assertion on Thursday during the 4th Annual Kano Social Influencers Summit (KanSIS23), tagged “A Rendezvous of Ideas” in the state.
He however noted that though social media have its ugly side, but the positive side should be what is prioritised by the youth for the sake of their self-development, self-reliance and self-employment among others.
Dantiye then commended the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) for organising the event annually to keep the youth of the state abreast with social media literacy.
While speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CITAD, Dr Yunusa Ya’u, disclosed that the summit was organised mainly to interface and sensitize the youth on how to make use of social media in impacting themselves positively as well as the society.
According to him,”inasmuch as it’s essential to sensitize the youth on the positive use of social media, it is also important to caution them on how to mitigate against its negative usage.”
Dr. Ya’u added that it is paramount to reflect on how social media was used during the recently concluded general elections.
“It is important for us to reflect on how social media was used by these youths during the elections that was conducted few months ago, to know if the experience is still with us, and all that.
“I will say the social media has come to stay, look at then, for instance before you send your reports as journalists it takes time. But look at now, within minutes you already send your reports across.
“The editor gets the news on time, copy it, edit and do the needful. That’s what the internet and social media do for you,” he said
He noted that “For instance, today you see married women selling thing online, advertising their product on social media. That’s another advantage of social media.”
Dr Ya’u also reeled out the disadvantages of social media, to include spreading of fake news, impersonation, addiction and over reliance on social media to perform simple tasks by the youth.
He however disclosed that it is important to educate the youth on the good and bad sides of social media, and how to be careful while using it.
