Clinical Psychiatry Open Access

Review

Facebook is engulfing us, even the people of most remote areas of Bangladesh has a Facebook account. It is an easy and cost effective medium of communication from very personal information to social and political issues. People, public and private sectors all are using Facebook as an important medium for increasing awareness, gaining popularity and publicity even sometimes-spreading propagandas. Facebook is playing important role in providing health care related information, advertising of products and services. Facebook is influencing psychological and physical health as well as health seeking behavior.

To evaluate the role of Facebook and violence I discussed with fifteen doctors, took their opinions in focus group discussion and searched the relevant literature. I find out that Facebook is reducing the difference of information and development between the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. People from a rural area has now assess to almost every social events, current news and up to date information. Students are using Facebook to collect blood for very sick people, clothing during winter and empowering woman in Bangladesh. Both man and woman are able to express their own ideas, emotion and creativity freely in Facebook. Furthermore, the promotion of creativity of one’s handmade crafts, painting, poetry and photography reaches hundreds of people with in minute, the likes and comments of Facebook friends act as a positive reinforcement.

However, we need to consider whether and what extend Facebook is transforming our psychological makeup, ways of emotional expression and recognition? The lives of many teenagers’ are evolving around Facebook. They are taking a selfie, posting a status, commenting on photos and chatting all day long with Facebook friends. The free expression in Facebook frequently becomes problematic for personal, social, occupational and political life. The feelings of anonymity and invisibility in Facebook may promote offensive behavior or wards that an individual would not engage in offline. Youth are becoming self-centered, lack of interaction and interest in real life friends, family members and outdoor activities. People emphasizing trifling matters rather than improvising practical matters. It is the best virtual world to waste time spreading false and misleading information. The Facebook is used by various criminal groups and antisocial or psychopath person to upload violent videos, attacking post to other religion or ethnic groups raised the question how Facebook is affecting the violence activities in a developing country like Bangladesh.

According to UNICEF Children experience violence in a range of settings including at home and in the family, in schools and educational settings, in care and justice systems, in work places and in the communities [1]. Specific forms of violence manifestation include, but are not limited to, corporal punishment, child marriage, and domestic violence, child trafficking, bullying and physical fights. Violence is perpetuated by adults as well as by children’s peers, including by persons trusted by them, such as friends, community and family members. Domestic violence is quite common in Bangladesh and about 87 percent of married women are abused by their husband [2]. Facebook is adding fuel to this problem by increasing jealousy and mistrust [3].

The information or a personal status on Facebook had created anarchy, violence even murder several times. Facebook was criticized for allowing users to upload and share videos depicting violent content. It is shocking that people acts in a violent way for popularity, recruitment and spread the propaganda in Facebook. Recently, a 13-year-old boy Samiul Alam Rajon was beaten to death in Sylhet city in Bangladesh on 8th July 2015 branding him a thief. The culprits uploaded this inhuman brutal event in Facebook to get thousands of like and comment. The video was terrifying and the reported rate of child abuse increased at that point in the electronic and print media. False, illicit, demeaning and vulgar comments are frequently observed on the teenage girls’ Facebook walls. Moreover, indecent sexual exposure and early childhood sexual involvement with porn addiction is becoming a matter of concern. Many doctors are using Facebook as a medium to show their professional achievements and for publicity violating confidentiality of patients. Facebook post leads some violence in the hospital declaring mismanagement and negligence of patients. Violence against doctors is common in Bangladesh. The questions of public examination were leaked in the Facebook on multiple occasions and reduced the credibility of the examinations in last few years. Children and guardians began to protest and frequent clashed with police. Facebook photo deemed offensive to Islam sparks violence in Coxbazar Bangladesh in 2012 [4]. The sporadic political violence frequently stimulated by politically motivated Facebook page and group. The government has to stop Facebook due to increasing chance of violence using Facebook on 18th November 2015.

However, Facebook can be used to reduce violence. Creating violence prevention group or campaigning against bullying, racism may reduce violence. Frequent post of against violence by the celebrity can influence his/her millions of followers. Government can post negative impact of violence and punishment of initiating and conducting violence from a official Facebook page. Positive messaging can and should remain a central focus. The time has arrived to make a decision to take necessary steps to prevent violence by Facebook rather being used a weapon for violence.

References

1. UNICEF (2012) Violence against Children in South Asia.
2. SumonCorraya (2014) In Bangladesh, 87 per cent of women victims of domestic violenceAsianews.
3. Muise A, Christofides M, Desmarais S (2009) More information than you ever wanted: Does Facebook bring out the green-eyed monster of jealousy? Cyber psychology& Behavior 12: 441-444.
4. Globe and mail (2012)Photo deemed offensive to Islam sparks riots, temple burning in Bangladesh.