Digital technology has transformed the lives of global communities to a new dimension and improved their way of living almost in all areas. Ranging from education and health systems to business and allowing communication and exchange of ideas through varied platforms, from payment systems in several services to entertainment as well as many more instances, digital technology is impacting the lives of individuals meaningfully.
These days, with the help of digital technology, it is possible to carry out activities easily and smoothly that were once unthinkable and impossible. Despite the several benefits of digital technology, improper and irresponsible usage of social media platforms is adding a number of concerns among communities and countries. Nowadays, even children are also falling under the influence of the digital ecosystem.
We are witnessing that digital platforms are used inappropriately for inciting violence and hate speech against others, being used as a tool for ill interest groups and by individuals. Experiences around the world prove that inciting violence through digital platforms is one of the driving fuels in fomenting conflicts. In this regard, a number of countries have been paying high sacrifices and still unable to ensure and regain peace and security. They have formulated rules and regulations aside from engaging in awareness raising activities to create common understanding regarding digital literacy.
The case is not different in Ethiopia. The country is also one of the nations affected by the improper usage of digital platforms. To curb the challenges, several activities have been carried out. Recently, a two-day forum that gathered several professionals, pertinent stakeholders and discussed digital literacy plus ways on to curtail the inappropriate usage of the digital ecosystem was organized by the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and Meta (Facebook Company) in Addis Ababa.
The forum was organized under the theme ‘Digital literacy for peace building,’ with the aim of addressing the challenges and exploiting the opportunities of digital platforms for peace building processes in Ethiopia. Speaking on the occasion, ECSOC, Program and Development Director Hana Woldegebriel said that ECSOC and Meta have entered into a collaborative initiative aiming to enhance digital literacy for peace building across the nation.
Digital platforms can transform CSOs’ capacity; enhance their efficiency and engagements with stakeholders. Further, it improves the quality of their services, and provides new ways of generating revenues, she said. That is why the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council believes that the collaboration with Meta is critical for CSOs. “By equipping users with the necessary skills and awareness to navigate digital platforms, we can connect the power of digital technologies to build a more peaceful and inclusive society,” Hana underlined.
As to the ECSOC, social media platforms have played a crucial role in fostering societal change and transformation. However, the inappropriate use of these platforms, including the proliferation of misinformation, calls to hate speech and violence; it poses a significant challenge with the potential to exacerbate offline harm.
This event is designed to equip CSO representatives with the necessary digital skills to enhance safe and responsible use of digital platforms and to foster an environment of informed, reflective, and meaningful engagement. “We believe that peace building efforts have to continue gaining momentum as it is imperative that digital platforms are constructively used to enhance these processes rather than undermine them,” said Mercy Ndegwa, Public Policy Director, East and Horn of Africa at Meta.
State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Huria Ibrahim also said that all constituents need to learn new ways to use digital platforms. “We have to use technology for the right purpose and if we use them in the proper way, we can benefit from it. Digital literacy society can have the capability to counter hate speech and misinformation which can help prevent conflicts and at the same time build peace,” she said.
In an exclusive interview with WOS International group CEO Marketing Manager Debebe Fikadu said that it is high time to equip the community, especially the youth with skills and knowledge on how to properly use the digital ecosystem, through organizing events.
According to him, more focus should be given to the young generation in higher learning institutions and enhance efforts to work with stakeholders like the Meta Company and other social media platform institutions in a bid to promote and build digital literacy capacity among the community to safeguard peace.
Stakeholders should show the blessing of the digital world as well as the opportunities they could exploit. “Public and private sector software designers should plan to come up with ideas to develop an Ethiopian digital platform that could be managed locally.”
The youth should distance themselves from improper usage of social media because it is becoming one of the channels of spreading hate speeches, misinformation and fake news among the communities that could harm the integrity of groups, individuals as well as the wellbeing of children.
Since, ungrounded news and posts through social media platforms are becoming the source for fomenting conflicts in various parts of Ethiopia, and deteriorating peace and security, it is prudent to acquaint the youth with safe usage of the digital ecosystem.
The efforts of the ECSOC and Meta (Facebook Company) are commendable. Respective public and private institutions should join hands in creating awareness towards a safe digital ecosystem at the grassroots level for the common good of all.
In this regard, it is high time to act now in a more organized fashion than before and enhance collaboration among pertinent stakeholders to promote digital literacy and make sure peace is maintained as well as all rights are respected and protected as per law of the land.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 3 SEPTEMBER 2023
