Expert Warns of Dark Side of Social Media at SIGNIS India's National Assembly

Hyderabad, 18 February 2025: Prasant, a renowned media expert and a project manager at TCS, presented a thought-provoking talk at SIGNIS India's National Assembly, highlighting the significant influence of mass media on people's minds.

Prasant began his presentation by asking a question he had once posed to his students in a school: "Is love marriage or arranged marriage better?" The students' response, "We are students," sparked a discussion on the role of media in shaping people's thoughts and behaviours.

Prasant emphasized that people use media as a tool for learning, and that media has become increasingly adept at reading people's minds and spreading news. He cited examples of positive news stories that had gone viral, such as Sneha Reddy's impressive job offer from Google and Sonu Sood's generous gift of a tractor to three girls.

However, Prasant also warned about the darker side of social media, including the proliferation of fake profiles, the spread of similar videos and photos as suggestions, and the rise of crimes committed using smartphones. He expressed concern about the psychological effects of excessive mobile phone use, including the potential for minus seven eyesight in children.

Prasant also cited a disturbing example of an engineering student in Vizag who had killed his mother, allegedly due to the negative influence of smartphone addiction. He emphasized that what was once a need has now become an addiction, and that the overall functionality of the physical body is concerning.

Prasant concluded his presentation by warning about the dangers of selfie addiction and the need for people to be more mindful of their smartphone use. His talk sparked a thought-provoking discussion on the need for responsible and inclusive digital practices that promote healthy relationships with technology