The recent cases of exam leakages in the on-going secondary schools examination is as a result of technology and extensive use of social media.
Both fake and real examination questions have been distributed mostly on whatsApp and Facebook.
Social media is one of the things that have revolutionised the world and one of the key advantages is that it has turned the world into a global village. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn just to mention but a few are so dear to the current Kenyan youth. A young man today cannot do without a good phone, I pad, Laptop or desktop not because it is a basic need but it is a necessity in the current world.
With all its advantages, social media has been used for the wrong reason among the young people and quite important it has led to indiscipline cases among the youths.
I won’t mention the many indiscipline cases arising from the interaction on the social sites but I am moved by the hatred and animosity spread on Facebook and other social networking sites by the youths in this country.
The current trend of youths grouping in tribal and ethnic cocoons in the name of groups on Facebook is alarming and worrying. In such groups people will really discuss developments.
The groups are marred by politics of tribe. The issues of who should be voted in come 2017 and why so and so failed in 2013 is the order of the day. It is saddening that in Kenya youths would find time to discuss politics more than developments.
More worrying are the videos shared on WhatsApp and Facebook. Currently it is common to find nude photos on your timeline posted and with several likes and comments. Pornographic materials have not been spared either.
We should understand that different people are using social sites and for different but good reasons. Some get irritated when they see nude photos or pornographic materials.
As a people we have veered from the objectives of social media. As a country we should use social media to strengthen our unity, brotherhood and national unity. It should also be a platform to help us understand what goes on around the country and the world.
Instead of spreading animosity and hatred among us, students especially at institutions of higher learning can use social media to improve their academics.
I am sure they can form discussion groups on whattsApp and Facebook. Lecturers can distribute reading materials and assignments through such media. During my time in school we used to engage our lecturers through whattsApp and for good reasons.
If the trend continues, then it is time the content spread on social site be monitored and the users be brought to book failures to which we are likely to count more losses than gains of modern and improved technology as a country.