Is Social Media a double edge sword?

In the late 1980’s the internet went public for the first time setting up the internet boom of the 1990’s. After, the year 2000 we saw early social media sites. However, social media really started to become popular after 2010. Since 2010 there have been several social media sites developed.  Social media can be good but as we have seen the past few weeks it can also be bad.  Is social media a double edge sword?  I plan to explore this topic and explore what can be driving the bad part of social media.

First of all, let me say that social media can be a good thing.  Social media sites like Facebook allow us to connect with our friends and family. Facebook also allows us to share positive messages with one another. In addition, social media allows us to post updates on events. I personally use social media to post my weather forecasts and weather warnings. Blogging sites, allow us to talk about issues that are passionate to us as well as connect with people with similar views. Video sites allow us to stream games and  videos. All of these things is what makes social media good and fun.

However, what happened in New Zealand shows the ugly side of social media. The world was horrified that somebody streamed a terrorist attack they were committing live on social media. At the end of the day several people were injured and 50 people were dead. It is being reported that the terrorist was radicalized online.  Then a few weeks ago parents were horrified when social media sites made for children had videos on them telling children how to kill themselves.  The Momo challenge so far has been a hoax. But what was real was 40-60 second messages of adults telling children how to hang or cut themselves.  It really showed that social media has a dark side

What happened in New Zealand was heartbreaking  but it also showed a road we have never been down before. In addition, it showed we have a huge problem that is finally getting talked about.  The road we have never been down before is terrorists using social media to live stream their terrorist acts. The problem is hate groups. Hate groups  have been very effective at using social media sites to recruit people into their groups. The terrorist group Isis has been effective at using social media to recruit and radicalize people.  While Isis, Hamas, and Al Kada are huge threats. Another threat has emerged domestic terrorism.  Militant, anarchists, and hate groups have been very effective in using social media.

If we look at past mass attackers rather it be bombs, cars, knives or mass shooters we see a disturbing pattern.  Now, before I go into more details. I would like to say this is not to make terrorists famous instead this is to point out the dangers of social media as well as a growing problem. Lets see if we can find a disturbing pattern among the following

Charlottesville car attacker-  A terrorist used his car to mow people down. It later came out that the terrorists was a member of a  white only militant hate group. He was also radicalized online

Parkland Shooter- He had ties to a militant group and was radicalized online. He also had a history of violent behavior.

Texas School Shooter-  He was a member of a hate group and was radicalized online

New York Police knife attacker- Member of an anarchists group believed to have been radicalized by online anarchy groups. He targeted police officers

Waffle House attacker- member of white only hate group

Kroger shooter- he targeted minorities as he was a member of a white only group. He was stopped by a concealed carry holder

Pittsburgh Synagogue attacker-  member of a militant hate group believed to have been radicalized online.

Florida work place shooter- member of white only hate group

New Zealand  terrorist- member of militant hate group radicalized online

We see the disturbing trend is most mass attackers (terrorists) have been members of hate groups. The other theme is being radicalized online.  So how do these groups radicalize people?

According to the FBI and Southern Poverty Law Center hate groups have targeted young people. The age range these groups have targeted is 14-30 years old. Most groups  post blogs, or videos to recruit. Some even invite people into their social media groups. These groups take advantage of a person’s insecurities and fear. Add stereotypes into the mix and people start to believe the messages.  This is one reason why hate groups have increased since 2010.  Now the world has always had hate groups but they have not been able to really use social media until the past 9 years or so.

Another problem with social media is cyber bullying. As I stated earlier the videos appearing in children social media sites is alarming. But, people have also used social media to bully others. As a result we have seen a huge spike in suicides esp among young people. In fact, Suicide has become the 4th leading cause of death among people under the age of 18 in the US. In other countries the rates are also rising.

So what can be done? As CBS, Yahoo, NBC, BBC and Fox pointed out over the weekend its an uphill battle esp in the United States. The simple solution would be to ban these groups and shut down their known sites. However, the Supreme Court has ruled several times that posts, and videos, even if it is hate speech, is protected under the first. The exception is if the speech contains threats.  Second, since we live in the social media age if a group or person gets banned; they often come back with a different name. Facebook, and Youtube have tried to remove posts and videos. But once a post is shared it only takes a few minutes and millions have already seen it.  In Summary its an uphill battle.

However, there are things that can be done to help combat the dark side of social media.

Parents are a biggest influence up until about the age of 14. After the age of 14 a teen’s biggest influences become  the peer group, social media,  regular media (newscasts, celebrities, singers etc), and parents.  If you have a person under the age of 18 you can still have an influence. Know who your child’s friends are, who he or she is hanging out with, and know what he or she is looking at online.  If you find anything alarming talk about it have a discussion about it.  Also parents if your child openly talks to you such as being harassed online listen.

For adults if a person starts expressing hate for people who are different , rather it be religion,  race, or being different in general,  ask them why do they feel that way? The main thing is getting them to dialogue. Also ask where did they learn or form their opinions from.? Do not hesitate to intervene.

Finally, If a person starts making threats tell. Tell a professional such as a counselor, if in school,  or report them to authorities.  You might just be saving lives.  If you report and nothing gets done then you have done your part. The Parkland terrorist had 29 reports on him for making threats and being a violent person and nothing was done. But it was not the people who reported him fault.  When a person starts making threats and planning an attack remaining silent has deadly consequences. So many times domestic terrorists will show signs before they carry out their attacks.

Should social media be banned? Absolutely not as social media can be great and fun. Social media should not go away. A lot of good can be found in social media as I have mentioned.  We can use social media to lift one another up, dialogue, share funny videos, share helpful information, and talk to one another. Cars help us  go from point A to point B but cars can be used for evil as we have seen.  Like all things we have to be aware. The most important thing is this no matter what law is passed  it won’t get hate out of our hearts.  We need to learn to dialogue and have open hearts as well as minds.  Hate comes from the heart.  One thing we can each do is ask our selves do we hate another person because they are different if so why? challenge and evaluate yourself.

worst baseball mega deals

Mega deals are nothing new in sports and baseball is no exception. Every year it seems that a baseball player signs a mega deal. Signing a player to a mega deal is a huge risk because teams are counting on that particular player to remain productive as well as help the team contend.  A lot of times these deals work out well for the player and the team that signed them. On the other hand, sometimes these deals end up being a huge disaster. I have made a list of some of baseball’s worst mega deals. (Deals are not ranked and or in no particular order)

New York Yankees sign Alex Rodriguez to a $275 million with bonuses up to $300 million 10 year deal.  This deal ended up being a disaster for the Yankees.  Alex Rodriguez opted out of his old contract because he wanted more money and the Yankees gave it to him. The  first 4 years of this deal were great as A-rod as he is called helped the Yankees win a World Series in 2009. However, A-rod admitted he used steroids. After, 2010 A-Rod started to decline as the injuries piled up and the production dropped.  In 2014, A-Rod found himself suspended for the entire season due to being busted for steroids again. When he came back the injuries kept piling up. After 2015 the Yankees released him owing him $50 million

Anaheim Angels sign Albert Pujols to a 10 year $240 million deal with bonuses making it $260 million .  Albert signed a 10 year deal with the Cardinals after his breakout 2001 season. Pujol’s helped the Cardinals make several playoff trips, win 3 pennants , and 2 World Series.  After the 2011 season, Pujols was going to be a free agent. The Cardinals offered an 8 year deal.  The Cardinals figured at age 32 Pujols would have 5 very good years left before he started to decline.  Position players usually play well into their 40’s but usually start to decline around age 36. The Angels offered Pujols a $260 million 10 year deal.  Well, Pujols signed and it ended up being a disaster. The first 4 years of this deal Pujols did great. But the past two years have been not so good. Pujols, has struggled with injuries and his numbers have started to decline. Anaheim, is still stuck with this deal for 4 more years.

Baltimore sign Chris Davis to a 7 year $161 million deal.  This move made some sense but there were red flags with this deal. Chris Davis has never been a high average hitter he has usually batted around 235-250, but he would hit 40-50 home runs per year. He, could be a game changer due to his power.  After the 2015 season the Orioles signed Davis to a 7 year extension.  The first year Davis did great as he bated his usual numbers.  But the past two years have been bad.  In 2017 Davis numbers came down and last year he had one of the worst seasons ever batting under 180.  Maybe Davis can rebound the next few years. On the other hand, if he does not the O’s are stuck with this
contract until 2022.

Anaheim Angels, Sign Josh Hamilton a 5 year $125 million contract.  Hamilton was a big power bat for the Texas Rangers. During the 2012 season Hamilton struggled with knee issues. After the 2012 season the Rangers were going to sign Hamilton to a 2 year deal due to possibly having bad knees. Wanting to stick it to their rival the Rangers, the Angels signed Hamilton to a 5 year $125 million deal.  Hamilton struggled his first year with another knee injury and the second year his knee problems came up again. The Angels released him owing $75 million.  In less than 2 years the Angels spent close to $400 million on two players Pujols and Hamilton.

 Colorado Rockies sign Mike Hampton to a 8 $121 million contract.  This contract had disaster written all over it. Coors field is a hitters paradise but a pitchers nightmare especially for fly ball pitchers.  By 2000 it was known that fly ball pitchers struggled at Coors Field.  Hampton, who was one of the top pitchers on the market, signed with Colorado for $121 million. Hampton only lasted 2 years in Colorado before demanding to be traded. In two years with the Rockies Hampton had a 21-28 record, and 6.00 earned run average. The Rockies traded him to the Braves but they had to eat all of his contract.

Los Angeles Dodgers sign Kevin Brown to a 7 year $105 million deal.  Kevin Brown was an ace pitcher for the Rangers, Marlins and Padres. After the 1998 season several teams offered Brown a 3 or 4 year contract. The reasoning for shorter deals was Brown was in his mid 30’s and a lot of teams thought he might have that many more years left. The Dodgers offered Brown a 7 year deal over $105 million. The dodgers only got 2 very good years out of this deal. Brown, would struggle with arm and shoulder injuries for most of this contract.  His only productive years came in 1999 and 2003 for the Dodgers.

Reds sign Homer Bailey to a 6 year $100 million deal.  Bailey had a very good year with the Reds helping them reach the playoffs the next year he was also good. The Reds  signed Bailey to a 100 million dollar contract. This move was bad because the Reds had two other good pitchers they could have kept.  The first year into this contract Bailey did what the Reds wanted him too and then the wheels fell off.  Bailey would miss 2 full seasons due to injuries. Last year Bailey was ineffective and the Reds released him owing him over $36 million as he was in year 4 of this deal.

Boston Red Sox sign Pablo Sandoval to a $90-$100 million deal.  Sandoval was a key member of the Giants 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series Championship teams. He was a solid line driver hitter with some pop in his bat.  The problem with Sandoval was his stamina, conditioning, and he struggled with some injuries. The Giants were going to extend him but  on a lesser deal due to the issues mentioned. But, Boston offered more money.  Sandoval struggled his first year, and his second year he missed the entire season with injuries. The Redsox released him owing him $60 million even though he ended  up back with the Giants.