The promise and the poison of social media

The rapidly proliferating presence of the social media in our lives is transforming how society works – and creating dangers which need to be addressed.

The instantaneous availability of limitless information has great and obvious advantages. It can make people better informed more quickly, lubricate the wheels of commerce so that business is transacted more efficiently, spread important knowledge so that its impact for good is immediate and ranges further, alert the population to scams and dangers, extend friendships beyond narrow circles – and, I have no doubt, my younger generation friends can go on adding to that beneficial list.