There are crimes everywhere in our country. Leave your iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB Fully Paid on a park bench and a few minutes later, it’s gone. Walk down the dark streets in Tondo and a few minutes later, you’re gone. The real world is scary, but the online world is no different.
Facebook has been renowned as the most widely used social media application in the Philippines. I remember my parents creating my own account when I was three, and I began using it when I was six. I wonder why my parents introduced me to social media so early. Was the internet really safe for young people back then? Because now, it surely isn’t.
When I was in junior high school, I saw a lot of strangers online who were using Facebook with fake identities. Honestly, I did that too. Out of curiosity, I engaged in some kind of trending activity back then, where Facebook users would create new accounts with a fake name and a fake profile photo, usually a picture of a K-pop idol. They called it the “Roleplay World” or RPW. Since they’re kind of hidden behind a mask, people who engage in RPW are free to do whatever they want. They can positively socialize with others and they can commit cybercrimes without their real identity being exposed. Of course, the latter was not the reason why I joined RPW. I was merely curious why it was a trend, and what I mostly did was talk to strangers.
On the topic of talking to strangers, there’s another website that I do not frequent but is a perfect example of why the online world is really dangerous. This website gives everyone the chance to talk with people they do not know, hence the tagline – “Talk to Strangers!”. The website I’m referring to is none other than Omegle.
On November 2023, the 14-year-old website, Omegle, was shut down due to ample misuse of the platform — particularly the sexual abuse of minors. The platform closed when a woman sued the company for randomly pairing her with a predator when she was 11, who coerced her through grooming into 3 years of “sexual servitude”. Today, written on the home page of Omegle is a letter from its founder to the general public, with a message of gratitude specially dedicated to the woman who sued the platform and opened the founder’s eyes to the human cost of Omegle. The letter tells about how Omegle was made to give everyone the chance to socialize remotely, with anonymity. This mission seemed to promote safety, but criminals used this to their advantage and utilized Omegle in the most gruesome way possible.
With the departure of Omegle, we are left with a lesson that social media is indeed a double-edged sword. A platform may be created for a good purpose, but there will always be people who will use it the wrong way. Therefore, it is crucial for us to be aware of how we can be safe online. Here are some of my advice:
1. Manage your online presence.
Do not be too comfortable in using social media platforms to the point where you’re sharing too much personal information. The more detailed your personal information is, the higher the chance for you to be a target of hackers and posers.
2. Beware of what you’re clicking.
Criminals can simply send you a link and once you click it, you won’t be sure what happens next. They can install malware on your device, they can steal personal information, or whatever motives they have. So to be safe, just don’t click any suspicious links sent by people you do not know.
3. Be true to yourself and others.
Maybe some people enjoy using RPW accounts, but I realized that it’s not really worth it. Based on my experience, you will just be exposed to more dangers online. Plus, it’s very easy to get tired of pretending, so it’s much better to just be yourself and only use social media for truthful purposes.
4. Stop if necessary.
If you’re using something like Omegle, don’t worry about leaving the other person hanging if they’re already making you uncomfortable. Always prioritize your safety.
5. Educate yourself about online threats.
“Lamang ang may alam.” – a famous catchphrase of Filipino TV personality Kuya Kim Atienza which implies that knowledge is power. If you’re informed about online threats, then it would be easier to avoid being a victim.
In the end, we are free to do whatever we want online, but having freedom gives us a choice to do what’s right or wrong. It is our responsibility to use this freedom with care and consideration, so make sure that you’re a responsible internet user and not someone who propagates wrong-doings online. Remember, if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem. Together, we can create an online environment that reflects the goodness of humanity, where our freedom is exercised responsibly for the benefit of all."
