Why Privacy Is Important in the Age of Social Media

Today, billions of people around the world are connected through social media. With just a few taps on a screen, we can share our thoughts, feelings, memories, accomplishments, and day-to-day lives. But in this rush to be seen and heard, we have forgotten one of the most basic and essential human rights: privacy.

A Personal Example That Raised Big Questions

Recently, I visited a place where I happened to recognize a girl I had only seen on social media. I knew her name, where she lived, her family, her hobbies, and even the interior of her house through her public posts, even though we had never met in person. We had chatted once or twice through a common interest page, but she didn’t really know me at all. Yet, because of what she shared publicly online, I was able to visit her home without raising suspicion.

Now think about it—if she had maintained strong privacy settings, or been more cautious about what she shared, I would never have been able to do that. Although I had no bad intentions, this situation made me realize how dangerous such openness can be if it falls into the wrong hands.

The Illusion of Connection

Many people confuse sharing with living. Online, anything from a meal to an outing to an update on a relationship to a personal struggle is immediately posted. Social media has made it so easy to seek validation, likes, and attention that many don’t realize how much of their lives they’ve made available to strangers.

And for those with grudges, jealousy, or criminal motives, this becomes an opportunity. A person can follow someone silently, know their routine, collect their photos, and manipulate situations without ever being caught. This silent stalking is happening more than we think, and in many cases, it begins with just one innocent-looking post.

Dignity and Self-Image: Lost in the Feed

The constant exposure has not just risked our privacy—it has cost us our dignity and self-image. In a world where everyone is trying to impress others online, many have forgotten who they truly are. The value of life is now measured in likes and followers. People start behaving not for themselves, but for how they will appear on social media.

The most affected children are young boys and girls. The pressure to look good, be liked, and go viral has led many school students to take part in risky behavior. The worst part is the increase in viral nude pictures and videos of students. Many of them are shared due to peer pressure, recorded without consent, or leaked. The shame and emotional pain become unbearable when the content goes viral. Some students fall into depression, and tragically, some even consider or commit suicide.

All of this could be prevented if only they understood one simple lesson: everything you share online can stay there forever—even if you delete it later.

Social Media: A Tool Misused and Misunderstood

Social media was created to connect people, to share knowledge, and to support communities. But today, instead of using it for awareness, education, or cultural preservation, people use it as a platform for exposure and exhibition.

There are thousands of pages today where you can find nudity, violence, hate speech, or abusive content. Despite several complaints, many social media platforms fail to remove or block such harmful content. It raises the question of what these platforms are doing to safeguard the public.

In my case, I run a page dedicated to showcasing our beautiful Himachali culture and traditions. I share videos of local festivals, dances, and spiritual events—content that should be promoted to preserve our identity. But guess what? Facebook suspended my page, even though my content is respectful and educational. In the meantime, harmful and vulgar content-heavy pages continue to flourish.

This raises serious questions about whether social media platforms even follow their own policies. Is it true that they filter content based on community guidelines, or is it just popularity and algorithms?

Privacy Is a Fundamental Right, Not a Luxury

Every person has the right to keep their private life private from the rest of the world. We should not share everything simply because technology exists. Privacy is not a weakness; rather, it is a shield—a necessary boundary that provides us with the space to develop, reflect, and be who we really are without the pressure of being judged.

When someone loses their privacy, they lose a part of their freedom. That freedom includes the right to be unknown to strangers, the right to make mistakes without them going viral, and the right to choose what part of life should remain personal.

What Can Be Done?

• 1. Educate People—Especially Young Users
  Children and teenagers need to be taught the importance of online privacy from a young age. They should know how to use privacy settings, how to report abuse, and why oversharing can be dangerous.
• 2. Use Private Accounts for Personal Matters
  Everyone should consider keeping a private account for close friends and family, and use public accounts only when needed—for business, creativity, or public awareness. Even on public profiles, sensitive details like phone number, home address, school, or daily routines should never be shared.
• 3. Think Before You Post
  Ask yourself:
  • Would I be okay if a stranger saw this post?
  • Does this reveal too much about my personal life?
  • Can this be misused in the future?
  Don’t post it if any of these are answered "yes."
• 4. Push Platforms for Better Policy Implementation
  Social media companies must be held accountable. They need to:
  • Remove harmful content faster.
  • Prevent unfair suspension of cultural and educational content.
  • Provide real customer support to users whose accounts are wrongly flagged.
  • Improve transparency in their content moderation policies.
• 5. Support Real Awareness Campaigns
  Instead of promoting celebrities and influencers who only focus on appearance or controversy, we should support campaigns that talk about mental health, digital safety, and cultural preservation.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Reclaim Our Privacy

Privacy is not about hiding—it’s about protecting. It is about knowing which part of your life belongs to you, and which part you choose to share. In today’s world, where so much of life is online, the choice to stay private becomes even more powerful.

It’s not just about protecting ourselves from harm. It's about creating a society in which people are valued for who they are rather than what they post. A world where kids don't get sick and can grow up in safety. A world where platforms stand for values, not just profit.

Let us wake up before it’s too late. Let us learn the difference between being social and being exposed.

Because once privacy is lost, it may never return.