Social networking websites have turned into an outlet for anybody with an opinion or ideology to express themselves across national boundaries and other state barriers.
Thanks to these websites, ideas and visions are shared among millions of people who differ in their inclinations and views. They allow people to share their cultures, opinions and points of view and prove that the world is a small village.
One of the most important and well-known social networking websites is Twitter.
It is a microblogging social networking site that allows its users to write and read text-based messages of a limited number of characters, known as “tweets”.
Perhaps the popularity of this website boils down to the fact that it is easy to use. The contents of Twitter are not controlled by watchdogs who can ban certain terms or media. The limited number of characters tweeters have to use to write their messages on this website makes it easy to follow as well.
The critical issue, however, is the way tweeters use the web. How do tweeters deal with issues discussed in the website, and interact with other users and supporters? What attracts tweeters is the type of information that encourages them to respond and interact once they read it. This is one of the reasons tweeters add someone to their account and follow his posts.
But improper practices on social networking websites, especially Twitter, prove the truism that “nothing is perfect”.
These websites are not supposed to be used for improper actions, such as attacks or defamation for no other reason than that some users do not comply with moral standards and ethics that make it necessary for them to have respect for themselves before they respect other users who may read their tweets.
One of the things that has become common on Twitter is the recruitment of a number of tweeters to confront one person whom they disagree with. Sometimes this group of recruits ends up insulting this person and levelling accusations against him.
On certain occasions, Twitter becomes an arena for fierce fighting wherein bullies are recruited through instigation and persuasion to support a tweeter who believes his point of view is always right.
Examples of this exist locally, unfortunately, on web forums and social networking websites. What adds insult to injury is that some of the people involved in such actions used to be seen as brilliant. They, however, are proving to be mere bodies with empty brains.
We are fortunate to have some Qatari tweeters who are considered the best ambassadors of their country on Twitter due to their manners and courtesy. We must commend these tweeters for the efforts they are making to improve the image of our homeland.
