Social media madness

By Chiquitta

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs have brought out the best, and the worst in Kenyans. Thanks to social media, people have been able to start businesses. Others have started or killed relationships.

Here are some of the sins committed by Kenyans online.

Misappropriation

There are those who find themselves in the unlucky predicament of having their photos stolen and used on unsavoury pages and sites.

Some of the chicks on the Campus Divas for Rich Men fiasco did not even know their photos were being used to drive traffic to a page they themselves would never have endorsed.

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You have people who even go as far as starting fake accounts on behalf of well-known persons.

These people will communicate with interested parties on your behalf and enjoy the benefits of your name anonymously, just because they can. This is the reason many celebrity accounts begin with words like ‘The official page...’

Internet bullying

Internet bullying in Kenya is done in a much more subtle way. The anonymity that the Internet provides creates a space where scores can be settled. Facebook comments on stories posted by media pages can quickly turn ugly as people who would not normally speak in such crass terms in public have a field day. Some pages, which started out just for fun, have had to be shut down when they took on a life of their own.

Stalkers

Yes, there are men and women among us who believe that Facebook is a human meat market.

They approach the social media site in much the same way they would Koinange Street, crushing through their friend’s friends and soliciting sexual favours whenever they can.

There is not one person who has not gotten a message from a stranger asking for a meet up, phone number or more.  Blocking works well but some crazies will just create new accounts and hit you up again.

Photos and tags

While it’s great to tag friends on photos, it’s time to also think twice about what photos you will post about you and your friends. 

Have you activated the privacy settings on your page to protect your pictures? If not then do not be surprised to see pictures from your crazy hen night on Sexxy Kenyan Chicks or Dendais Who Can Gerrit fan pages.