Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword for Human Rights

Introduction

Human rights are a fundamental pillar of modern society, ensuring dignity, freedom, and equality for all individuals, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, social status, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs (Krejčí, 2011). While human rights should be universally recognized and upheld, violations like discrimination, bullying, and restrictions on freedoms persist globally. The rapid digitalization of society has introduced a new dimension to human rights: social media. These platforms have become digital spaces where people exchange information, create content, and engage in discussions. Their influence can be both positive and negative, shaping global debates, activism, and even policies. This paper examines both aspects with concrete examples and critical analysis.

Positive Aspects of Social Media and Human Rights

One of the most notable positive impacts of social media on human rights is its ability to mobilize activism and provide a voice to marginalized groups. In Hong Kong, for example, pro-democracy movements have heavily relied on social media platforms to organize protests and share vital information securely. Amid increasing government restrictions and censorship, encrypted messaging services have become essential tools for ensuring anonymity and protecting demonstrators from state surveillance (Frosina, 2021).

Without these platforms, many activists would face severe repercussions, including imprisonment.

Another example comes from Saudi Arabia, where the Women2Drive movement gained international attention. Before 2018, Saudi women were prohibited from driving, a restriction that symbolized broader gender discrimination. Activists leveraged social media, especially Twitter and YouTube, to share videos of women defying the ban. This campaign sparked global discussions and attracted pressure from international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (Amnesty International, 2018). The widespread online support contributed to the eventual lifting of the driving ban, showcasing how digital activism can challenge oppressive policies.

In addition to specific movements, social media has also played a crucial role in documenting human rights abuses. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram have enabled journalists, activists, and civilians to share real-time footage of violations, bringing international attention to crises that might otherwise go unnoticed. This form of citizen journalism has pressured governments and institutions to take action against perpetrators of human rights abuses.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

Negative Aspects of Social Media and Human Rights

Despite its advantages, social media also poses serious risks to human rights. One of the most pressing concerns is cyberbullying, which affects millions worldwide. Cyberbullying involves the use of digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or humiliate others, often through the spreading of false information, sharing private content without consent, and persistent online harassment. (UNICEF, 2024). The violation of personal dignity and safety through cyberbullying directly contradicts fundamental human rights.

In fact, a recent UNICEF poll found that more than a third of young people in 30 countries reported being victims of online bullying. The study revealed that cyberbullying has become a pervasive issue that significantly impacts the well-being of young individuals around the world (UNICEF, 2019).

Another alarming issue is the misuse of deepfake technology—AI-generated media that can fabricate realistic images and videos of individuals. Deepfake technology has been used to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, and create non-consensual explicit content featuring victims' faces.

As this technology becomes more sophisticated, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and falsified content. From a legal standpoint, current regulations struggle to keep up with the growing threat posed by deepfakes to personal identity and privacy (Pliešovský, 2020).

Manipulation through deepfakes erodes trust in information sources, potentially fueling misinformation and political destabilization. Deepfakes do not need to be highly convincing to influence public opinion; their mere circulation can exploit fears, reinforce biases, and undermine trust in democratic processes (Villasenor, 2019).

A third major concern is the spread of disinformation. Disinformation campaigns—deliberate efforts to distribute false or misleading information—have been used to manipulate elections, incite violence, and weaken democratic institutions. Unlike misinformation, which is unintentional, disinformation is strategically designed to deceive the public. Social media platforms have been exploited by both state and non-state actors to push propaganda and conspiracy theories, often targeting vulnerable populations (ESET, 2021). The rapid dissemination of disinformation undermines informed decision-making, threatening both individual rights and national security.

Conclusion

Social media is a double-edged sword in the context of human rights. While it has empowered activists, facilitated global awareness, and provided a platform for marginalized voices, it has also enabled cyberbullying, disinformation, and digital manipulation. The challenge lies in maximizing its positive potential while mitigating its risks. Legal frameworks, technological safeguards, and digital literacy education must evolve to ensure that social media remains a tool for human rights protection rather than a weapon against them.

The future of human rights in the digital era depends on collective responsibility—of users, policymakers, and tech companies—to foster an online space that prioritizes dignity, truth, and justice.

As a digital citizen, I believe that it is our shared responsibility to use social media consciously and respectfully, in a way that upholds human rights and protects others from harm.

References

Amnesty International, 2018. Driving Ban and the Women2Drive Movement. Amnesty International Canada [online]. [Accessed: 1 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.amnesty.ca/human-rights-news/driving-ban-and-the-women2drive-movement/

ESET, 2021. What is the Difference Between Misinformation and Disinformation? ESET | Secure on the Internet [online]. [Accessed: 1 April 2025]. Available at: https://bezpecnenanete.eset.com/sk/pre-ucitelov/cim-sa-lisi-misinformacia-od-dezinformacie/

Frosina, Silvia, 2021. Digital Revolution: How Social Media Shaped the 2019 Hong Kong Protests. ISPI [online]. [Accessed: 1 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/digital-revolution-how-social-media-shaped-2019- hong-kong-protests-30756

Krejčí, Oskar, 2011. Human Rights. 1st ed. Professional Publishing. ISBN 9788074310560. Pliešovský, Richard, 2020. What is Deepfake and Why is it Dangerous? TECHBOX.sk [online]. [Accessed: 2 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.techbox.sk/co-je-to-deepfake-a- preco-predstavuje-nebezpecenstvo

UNICEF, How to Stop Cyberbullying. [online]. [Accessed: 2 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/how-to-stop-cyberbullying UNICEF, 2019. UNICEF poll: More than a third of young people in 30 countries report being a victim of online bullying. [online]. [Accessed 9 April 2025].Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-poll-more-third-young-people-30-countries- report-being-victim-online-bullying

VILLASENOR, John, 2019. Deepfakes, social media, and the 2020 election. Brookings Institution [online]. 3 June 2019. [Accessed 9 Apr 2025]. Available at: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/deepfakes-social-media-and-the-2020-election/

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