Date : 01/08/2023

Relevance – GS Paper 2 – Social Media and Its Impact

Keywords – Social Media, Toxic Environment, Angiveers

Context –

• The explosion of social media has significantly altered the environment in which the young generation grows up, shaping their perspectives, values, and beliefs.
• The impact of this digital revolution is evident across various domains, including the armed forces.
• While numerous studies in the West explore how social media influences serving military personnel and its implications on their political orientation, there is a glaring lack of authoritative research on how today's social media-influenced recruits in India differ from their counterparts of two decades earlier.
• The urgency of conducting such a study is underscored by recent events, such as alleged indiscipline among personnel in Kashmir and an Army directive pointing to the likely suspension of pension for veterans making derogatory remarks on social media, tarnishing the Army's image.

The Toxic Environment of Social Media:

• Social media has created a toxic environment, rife with noxious influences that affect young minds in multifaceted ways.
• The allure of consumerism, the quest for instant fame through online platforms, and the reshaping of political and social norms are just a few of the challenges presented by the digital age.
• Of particular concern is the trend of thought polarization along cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious lines.
• Videos on social media often depict schisms that percolate down to even the school level, leading to concerns about how this environment affects the mindset of recruits entering the armed forces.

Detoxifying the Incoming Recruits:

• The first challenge lies in detoxifying the masses entering training institutions.
• It is imperative to instill the belief that within the armed forces, all Indians are equal, transcending religious, caste, or creed-based identities.
• While the foundation of any training endeavor is based on theory, the actions of junior leadership, both discernible and subtle, play a crucial role in shaping the mindset of recruits.
• Hence, existing training regimens must be minutely reexamined to ensure they effectively address the toxic influence of social media.
• The shortened training period of enlisted Agniveers presents an additional challenge. While it could be argued that they will receive further training in operational units, the four-year engagement period may not be sufficient to assimilate the core values and discipline of military service.
• Efforts must be made to reinforce the importance of discipline, integrity, and camaraderie among these recruits, despite the limited training timeframe.

Recognizing the Strategic Significance of a Soldier's Actions:

• The notion that soldiers are mere disciplined followers who do not reason but merely follow orders is outdated in contemporary warfare.
• Modern recruits are educated and thinking individuals, and their actions can have far-reaching strategic implications in conflicts that involve humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping operations, and mid-level intensity conflicts.
• General Charles Krulak of the US Marine Corps introduced the concept of the "Strategic Corporal" in 1999, highlighting the potential impact of individual actions on military operations and even a nation's policies.
• With social media's widespread coverage, a soldier's actions on the frontline hold even greater strategic importance. Therefore, training establishments must emphasize the non-military, intangible effects of a young officer's or corporal's actions and instill a sense of responsibility and awareness among recruits.

Introspection and Reinforcing 'Indianness':

• In the wake of incidents like alleged indiscipline among personnel in Kashmir, it is crucial to engage in introspection and identify areas where the system may have faltered.
• While some may consider such incidents as aberrations, leaders must ensure that the system remains above suspicion. To do so, the senior leadership should continually reinforce the essence of "Indianness" within the military, fostering a strong sense of unity among the recruits.
• The armed forces must remain insulated from the social cacophony prevalent on social media platforms. Instead, they must embody a sincere belief in the oneness of Indian society, transcending divisions based on religion, caste, or creed.
• Building a sense of national pride and discipline is essential to ensure that the armed forces uphold their core values and responsibilities, acting as a beacon of inspiration for the entire nation.

Conclusion:

• Social media's pervasive influence has transformed the landscape for the young generation, including those entering India's armed forces.
• Acknowledging and addressing this influence is critical to detoxify incoming recruits and build a strong sense of national unity and discipline within the military.
• By recognizing the strategic importance of a soldier's actions and fostering responsible leadership, the armed forces can effectively navigate the challenges posed by the toxic social media environment.
• Introspection and continuous efforts to reinforce the notion of "Indianness" are paramount in ensuring that the armed forces remain a bastion of discipline and national pride, true to their core values and responsibilities. Only then can they continue to stand as a symbol of unity and strength for the nation they serve.

The impact of social media on today's youth, including those joining the armed forces, cannot be underestimated. To safeguard the values and principles of the military, a concerted effort is required to detoxify recruits from the toxic influences of social media, reinforcing the essence of "Indianness" and fostering a strong sense of national unity and discipline. By recognizing the strategic significance of a soldier's actions and instilling a sense of responsibility, the armed forces can effectively navigate the challenges of the digital age and continue to be a symbol of pride and inspiration for the nation.

Source – Indian Express