Some Nigerians on Friday in Abuja said that romantic relationships which began through social media platforms have more advantages than disadvantages.
However, others disagree, saying that cases of fraud, insecurity, kidnap, rape and other criminal activities were prevalent in most social media relationships.
Social media are computer-mediated technologies that allow individuals and different organisations view, create and share information, ideas, and other forms of expression via virtual communities and network.
Such virtual communities and network platform are Facebook, Twitter, 2go, YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and WeChat among others.
The major objective of the platforms is to connect people and make or retain friends across the world.
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that not all relationships or venture that emanated from social media platform, were negative.
According to them, some lead to long lasting friendship, love, marriages and business venture.
Mr Emmanuel Obi, a civil servant said that the social media platform provides opportunity for interaction, meeting new and old friends, as well as keeping tab of one’s partner.
“It is not all relationships that started in any of the social media that ends up bad.
“There are some that even leads to long lasting friendship, marriages, business venture and love.
“Facebook has enabled me contact and keep in touch with my secondary school mates after over 25 years of graduation,’’ he said.
Similarly, Nafisa Abu, a make-up artist said she met her spouse on social media in 2013, in spite warnings from family, friends and recounted stories about victims of social media romance.
“I actually met my husband on facebook in 2013. I didn’t know that the friendship would blossom into love and marriage eventually.
“In spite of repeated warnings from people, we still defied all odds and took the risk of starting a romantic relationship. I have no regret because we are both happy together.’’
Esther Kabruk, a journalist said the social media platform had made her work easier and provided opportunity to build working relationships with colleagues from different media organisations in and outside the country.
According to her, the platform is cheap and more reliable.
“Even though there have been a lot of negative stories about social media relationship, there are some that are actually beneficial and has no risk involved in it.
“The medium has been used to document memories, learn and explore things, advertise oneself and form friendship with people within and outside your circle.’’
Malam Isa Yakubu, a politician said the social media had been used to gain political support for an aspirant, influence the public, as well as create awareness on national issues that affects the people.
“It can positively affect and influence social standing, gain political support for any aspirant, as well as create awareness on issues that affect the people,’’ he said.
However, Olabisi Sunday, an ICT expert warned that the negative effects of engaging in any social media relationship were more than the positive effects.
“Some people innocently go into a relationship with people they meet on social media without having any reservation about disclosing sensitive information about themselves.
“ Some of them fall victims of fraud, huge amount of money were dubiously taken from them without any legitimate backing or information to trace the culprits,’’ he said.
Sunday, however, added that even though the social media is a platform to exchange business opportunities, there was the need to be cautious before divulging vital information and engaging in monetary transaction.
Mrs Patience David, a teacher, said even though the platform provides an opportunity for people to interact, there was the need for people, especially teenagers to be educated on the need for privacy and not to engage in romantic relationships.
“Parents need to monitor their children’s phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets that children use to innocently start romantic relationship with other people.
“At times, they ignorantly disclose information about themselves or family on some of these platforms, which exposes them to abuse, rape, kidnap, bullying, theft and other criminal activities.’’
David also added that some people use the platform to falsify information about themselves to look more appealing or attractive to victims.
“Some people use the platform to lie, pretend and portray an image about themselves such as their marital status, work or career that was not true.
“This is just to lure innocent victims to start a relationship with them,’’ she said. (NAN)
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