Caught in the chain of tagging, posting ‘weird’ comments on any links, videos or photos on Social Networking sitesIJ This is becoming a custom these days. Infact the trend is gaining momentum with people trying to show their popularity, especially on Facebook.
With Social Networking sites penetrating in pockets through mobile phones and laptops lying on beds, online bullying is visible in invisible mode in the society.
Describing the mental status of a girl when she is bullied online, Dr Tulika Ghosh, Clinical Psychologist of Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) said, “When girls are tagged or commented in unwanted posts or photos, it does create a tension especially when it comes to their parent’s or sibling’s notice.”
Though there is an option of removing tags or editing comments but by the time the person notices the unwanted tag and un-tags himself/herself the damage is done.
For some there is nothing wrong if they are tied in this net track genre among friends circle with decent links but it is highly objectionable when somebody is tagged in censored or ‘odd’ posts. Social Activist Aloka finds it irritating when she is commented in any link. “The privacy option is lost with people are tagging me on whatever photos without my approval,” said Aloka.
Pinaki P Baruah, a research scholar of National University of Research and law said, “When a person is emotionally hurt, tagging friends in that case looks awkward. If I am there in any of the photographs of my friends, savings tags are justified else there is no reason to tag.”
Besides this tagging, there are friends who often dedicate funky songs or links to their ‘friends’. Siddhant Goswami, a class twelfth student of Jawahar Vidya Mandir is always checked and scolded by his parents when his female or male friends tease him this way.
Director of Ranchi University Mass Communication Department Sushil Kumar Ankan said, “I immediately send such objectionable links or photos or even videos in spams so that it is not visible again.”
People who are in relationship face misunderstanding because of this ‘tag’. Konica Das, an HR manager of a City based Hotel was recently advised by her boyfriend not to allow her friends to tag in whatever photos without her permission. “No one is reliable in this showcase world of social networking,” said Konica’s boyfriend.
However, tagging does not bother if the online stuff is anyhow connected to the concerned users.