Be wary of the source of rumour BLESSING OR MENACE. . . Social platforms like WhatsApp are increasingly becoming a heartache,as most people take wholesome whatever messages they receive through such fora without verifying their authenticity, jeopardising not only their lives but those of others as well
BLESSING OR MENACE. . . Social platforms like WhatsApp are increasingly becoming a heartache,as most people take wholesome whatever messages they receive through such fora without verifying their authenticity, jeopardising not only their lives but those of others as well

BLESSING OR MENACE. . . Social platforms like WhatsApp are increasingly becoming a heartache,as most people take wholesome whatever messages they receive through such fora without verifying their authenticity, jeopardising not only their lives but those of others as well

The Arena Hildegarde

Today, someone might think that they are making a sick joke about an accident killing a number of people, but that sick joke might graduate to something more sinister.

THIS instalment is one of many in the past 20 years on how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) revolutionise the way we do things.

We cannot doubt the phenomenal changes that we have experienced in the past few years as we see ourselves wired up to the rest of the world.

Indeed, we are under illegal sanctions, but this has not stopped us from catching up with the global village. And thanks to ICTs, we have managed to highlight some of the challenges we face as a nation, and the debate on various digital platforms is work in progress for a transforming Zimbabwe because we have remained connected.

Commendable though this is, there have been some downsides for communication calls for acting responsibly and with sensitivity.

It was therefore quite shocking that some individual or individuals on Tuesday June 30 decided to send malicious and damaging information about the alleged death of school children in a road traffic accident through social media.

Not only was the so-called breaking news in bad taste, but it was unwarranted and made many parents and guardians worry for no apparent reason. In view of this, we hope that it is used as test case to ensure that people are prosecuted for cyber-induced crimes.

The message which was received by many people who use the WhatsApp social platform read: “A Maranatha (Junior School)school bus was involved in an accident 40 minutes ago and it is reported that 17 children died on the spot. Anyone with a child or relative from Maranatha juss (just) confirm. Its so sad.”

This message was sent at 6:37pm. Soon after, our Herald news room was calling around: Maranatha Junior School head, some known parents, the police and others. Likewise, people were calling to find out whether it was true.

The idea that this alleged tragedy could have been a likely possibility was devastating because The Herald learnt that some of the pupils from the school went on a trip to Victoria Falls that same day.

After some time, another message was posted. Nothing of the sort had happened. It was a hoax, just like hundreds others before it.

But, maybe there is also a new definition of hoax. To this writer, this was pathological and deserves to be taken seriously and investigated. It should not be taken as many of the hoaxes floating around on social media.

This also means that our laws have to be aligned in such a way that they cover cybercrimes. There should be technology to find out where the tasteless message originated from, and the person or persons behind it.

The media has also been writing stories following such hoaxes. Recently, The Herald published a story where the Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) raised an alert over a scam that was circulating on social media saying that it was recruiting people at military barracks in Bulawayo.

According to a statement by AFZ public relations officer Squadron Leader Simon Matingwina the job seekers were advised to ignore the WhatsApp messages that had gone viral on social media claiming that AFZ has embarked on a recruitment exercise at 1 Brigade, Imbizo Barracks, Llewellyn Barracks and the non-existent “Joshua Mqabuko Brigade.”

Squadron Leader Matingwina said: “The AFZ would like to advise members of the public that there is no such recruitment and that the organisation does not communicate through social media platforms.”

“In view of these false messages, members of the public are urged to cease circulating the messages and report to the nearest police station any individual or individuals masquerading as AFZ recruiting personnel,” he said.

The AFZ response came after several job seekers had turned up at various military barracks in response to the hoax job advertisement.

The report also said that in the past few months, scores of job seekers had fallen prey to bogus recruitment scams which had seen some being fleeced of their hard-earned cash.

These hoaxes are also disturbing considering the growth of human trafficking globally, and also in view of the terrorist threats that they pose.

Thousands of young people are being enticed to join terrorist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda or Al-Shabaab, and the recruitment is done through the Internet and social media platforms.

Today, someone might think that they are making a sick joke about an accident killing a number of people, but that sick joke might graduate to something more sinister.

This is why the writer calls on the enactment of proactive laws that protect members of the public from such pathologically minded people. Being digital does not mean that people have to digitise evil.

When I wrote “Digitising revolutions: Africa’s major challenge” in November 2011, I made reference to how Africa, Zimbabwe included can make gains from the digital age, instead of the foolishness displayed about the Maranatha school children: We should be able to implement what Alvin and Heidi Toffler recommend in their book, “The Third Wave”, which is to create knowledge warriors —moving data banks — who can fight these digital revolutions.

The Tofflers argue that “As the third wave war-form takes shape, a new breed of ‘knowledge warriors’ has begun to emerge — intellectuals in and out of uniform dedicated to the idea that knowledge can win, or prevent wars. . . ”

Why should someone feel a sense of satisfaction leaving behind a digital footprint that distresses and traumatises the children, their parents, school authorities and the whole nation?

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