Tag: social media

• Unmasking AI: Bias, Misinformation, and Ethics

  Is AI Helping Us or Quietly Hurting Us? 

  Artificial Intelligence has become a crucial part of our daily lives. We ask Alexa to play music, use AI-based apps for therapy, and rely on algorithms for news. We trust AI with our secrets, emotions, and routines. But while we embrace this technology, we often overlook the warning signs. These signs include privacy violations, misinformation, bias, and manipulation. 

  It’s time to ask: are we genuinely moving forward with AI, or are we stepping into a more dangerous version of the past? 

  Betrayal of Trust and Privacy 

  Several real-world examples show how AI systems have broken public trust. Cambridge Analytica analyzed personal data from over 87 million Facebook users without consent to influence elections. Clearview AI collected more than 3 billion photos from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and sold facial recognition tools to private companies and law enforcement without user permission. 

  Pegasus spyware was used by governments to monitor journalists and human rights defenders through their phones. Alexa, a household voice assistant, was found to be recording conversations even when not in use. One of the most disturbing examples is BetterHelp, a mental health app. Users shared their deepest fears, from trauma to suicidal thoughts, yet their personal data was shared with platforms like Facebook and Snapchat for advertising purposes. The very tools designed to help us were exploiting our trust. 

  AI and the Spread of Misinformation 

  AI is also being used to create and spread false information. Just two days before Slovakia’s 2023 election, a fake audio clip of the president circulated online. Experts confirmed that AI manipulated the recording. According to the Freedom House 2024 Report, over 20 countries experienced election interference through AI-generated deepfakes between 2023 and 2024.

  These tools blur the line between real and fake, confusing the public, influencing votes, and destabilizing democracies. In the wrong hands, AI can easily become a weapon against the truth. 

  The Bias Beneath the Code 

  AI systems don’t just make decisions; they also judge. When trained on biased data, their judgments reflect discrimination present in society. 

  The COMPAS tool used in U.S. courts to predict if a person might reoffend was found to be biased against Black defendants. In the Apple Card scandal of 2019, women received much lower credit limits than men, despite having similar financial profiles. 

  AI-based exam proctoring tools like Proctorio and Honorlock flagged Black and Brown students more frequently because facial recognition systems struggled to accurately detect their faces. These examples show that AI isn’t neutral; it mirrors and often worsens existing inequalities. 

  Conclusion: The Past in Disguise? 

  What’s most alarming is how AI is bringing us back to a time when privacy was optional, discrimination was common, and truth could be easily manipulated. But now, it’s happening under the guise of innovation. 

  If we don’t demand transparency, accountability, and strong ethical oversight, AI will continue to evolve without consequences. This could shape a future where our rights, dignity, and trust become the true cost of progress.

  what are your views on artificial intelligence? stay tuned as my next blog talks about how we can use this intelligence for the betterment of beings and control such issues.

  Don’t forget to like and share my blog.

  – Khevna Sharma

  July 22, 2025

  ai, artificial-intelligence, chat gpt, chatgpt, democracy, ethics, future, law, media, misinformation, reality, sal, social media, technology, unsage

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• First MUN? Tips That Help

  I’m 14, and I recently participated in my first MUN — that’s short for Model United Nations.

  Now, I won’t lie and say it was easy or that I had it all figured out, because I didn’t. It was all very new. Terms like Moderated Caucus and Yield time sounded like another language!

  Honestly, I was so scared that I ended up researching so much that I felt like I knew more than the creators of MUN!

  Here’s how it went — what I did, what worked, what didn’t, and a few tips for anyone trying their first MUN.

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  • Step 1: Choosing the Right Committee

  I was in the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, with the agenda:

  Challenges to AI in promoting democracy and the rule of law.

  It was a complex topic, but it spoke to me — and that made all the difference.

  Tip #1: Choose a committee and agenda that genuinely interest you. If you don’t like the topic, you’ll feel stuck and may even hate the whole experience.

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  • Step 2: Understanding the Basics

  I started by learning basic MUN terms using AI tools and online resources:

  What is a moderated caucus?

  What does yielding time mean?

  How does the committee flow work?

  Then came the real research — and it felt like being thrown into the ocean without knowing how to swim! Topics like surveillance, bias in AI, and solutions were overwhelming.

  What helped a lot was participating in Mock MUNs. They boosted my confidence and helped me understand what I was doing wrong.

  Tip #2: Attend every mock MUN or practice session — it builds confidence.

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  • Step 3: Deep Dive into Research

  I researched a lot — over 20 pages of notes!

  Next came lobbying, where delegates pitch topics for the moderated caucus. It’s crucial — these are the topics you’ll discuss.

  Tip #3: Be active during lobbying — pitch ideas and engage.

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  • Step 4: Dealing with Fear and Expectations

  The day before MUN, I was terrified. Many delegates had attended 20–25 MUNs already.

  I couldn’t erase the fear, so I focused on what I could control:

  Practiced my speeches.

  Rehearsed my points.

  Reminded myself it’s okay if things don’t go perfectly.

  Tip #4: Be mentally prepared for things to go wrong — and be okay with it.

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  • Step 5: The Actual MUN

  Day 1: I was underconfident, but I pushed myself to raise my placard for every speech and caucus. By the end of the day, I had a feel for when to pitch in and how to structure my points.

  A key lesson: No matter how much you prepare, you can’t fully predict how the committee will unfold. I ended up changing most of my prepared document as discussions evolved.

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  • Final Takeaways

  Yes — others did better.

  Yes — I wasn’t perfect.

  But — I gained so much confidence and had fun along the way.

  And guess what? I’m already signed up for another MUN in July!

  Tip #5: Be ready to do badly — and do it anyway. You’ll learn and grow.

  • Final Thoughts

  If you’re thinking about trying MUN — go for it.

  Pick a topic you care about.

  Prepare well.

  Accept that things won’t go perfectly.

  Participate actively.

  You’ll walk away with confidence, new skills, and great memories.

  Good luck — you’ve got this.

  If this blog helped you, don’t forget to share

  June 10, 2025

  ai, diplomat, education, first, first MUN, for you, future diplomat, MUN, MUN tips, news, social media, student life, technology, technology, teens, teens guide, UN, writing

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• Social Media’s Dual Role in Legal Perception and Misinformation

  In today’s digital age, where a hashtag can spark movements and a viral post can influence public opinion, social media stands as a powerful force in shaping our understanding of justice.
  Social media platforms have revolutionized how we engage with information, particularly in the realm of legal matters. As we witness events unfold online, our perceptions of justice are continually molded by the narratives presented. This dynamic raises critical questions about the impact of social media on the legal system and its ability to inform or misinform public consciousness.
  While the government initiates the policies, it is truly the social media that promotes and spreads awareness about the schemes. Social media has helped justice reach heights. 
  Justice is not only what an accused gets once he is acquitted or what the family of the victim gets in court.
  Justice is freedom, equality, and fairness in all and every sense.
  Some policies, schemes and campaigns affected by social media are:
  Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission)

  • Impact: The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, received extensive promotions on social media. Citizens were encouraged to take part in cleanliness drives and sanitation initiatives. Social media campaigns, videos, and hastags such as #MyCleanIndia spread the message across India.
  • Legal Perspective: The movement has been the basis for many legal cases because it impacted public policy and law with regards to sanitation and waste management. It influenced local and state governments to enact and enforce stronger legislation regarding waste management. Legal enforcement of sanitation policies because of social media’s call for cleaner public spaces was improved

  The Digital India Campaign and Cyber Laws

  • Impact: The Digital India campaign, launched by the government in 2015 to encourage greater adoption of online access and technology, was highly promoted in social media. It did have an increased awareness of what the government is trying to do: Cashless economy, digital literacy, and e-governance.
  • Legal Perspective: This pressure of digital inclusion also brought many conversations on social media that gave birth to a growing need for stricter cybersecurity and data protection legislations. It is in such an atmosphere that the development of the Personal Data Protection Bill is being framed to give safety to the citizens’ online data. Awareness created through social media debates has shaped India’s legal structure related to privacy and digital security.

  The Anti-Tobacco Campaign

  • Impact: The consumption of tobacco in India has been a major public health issue, particularly among the youth. The social media campaigns like #TobaccoFreeIndia and the utilization of popular personalities to give anti-tobacco messages helped create much awareness regarding the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco.
  • Legal Perspective: These movements increased pressure on the government to strengthen the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). It brought stricter regulations on the advertisement, packaging, and sale of tobacco. This amplified health risks due to tobacco use helped in the legal landscape of tobacco control in India.

  The Voter Awareness Campaigns

  • Impact: Social media has become a vital tool for voter awareness and civic engagement in India. The elections have been supported by several campaigns like #VoteForIndia, and #VoteSmart by spreading information about the process of voting, registration as a voter, and the need to vote.
  • Legal Perspective: Social media played a key role in ensuring that more eligible voters participated in elections, promoting legal awareness about the electoral process. The Election Commission of India also used social media platforms to inform voters about their rights and procedures, which led to greater turnout in elections and more informed voters.​

  However the social media is not only in the favour of good, it can also misjudge some times:
  OVERREACTION TO LEGAL ENFORCEMENT
  Bangalore Traffic Fine Case (2021)

  • A social media post condemned a traffic cop for allegedly harassing a motorist. However, the CCTV footage showed that the motorist was violating traffic rules and the police officer was just doing his job.
  • Impact: The officer received online vilification until the full story was revealed, indicating how partial narratives can mislead people.

  MISTAKEN IDENTITY
  Bengaluru Techie Accused of Chain Snatching (2019)

  • A Bengaluru tech worker was falsely accused on social media of being a chain snatcher after a photo was misattributed to him. The actual suspect was later arrested by the police.
  • Impact: The innocent individual faced harassment and stigma until the truth came out, highlighting the risks of social media spreading unverified claims.

  MISUNDERSTOOD LEGAL ORDERS
  Supreme Court’s Decision on Internet Shutdowns (2020)

  • Social media misinterpreted a Supreme Court judgment on internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir as a blanket ban on all shutdowns. Actually, the order only mandated proportionality and judicial review.
  • Impact: The false narratives surrounding the judgment led to unwarranted public criticism.​

  The influence of social media in forming and implementing our perception and exercise of justice is undeniable. This includes encouraging participation in cleanliness drives, promoting stronger legislation on waste management, digital security, and tobacco control, and even driving voter awareness. Social media has come to be a big lever in the impact of public policy and law. However, it is equally important to remember that social media, while a powerful agent of change, can be a double-edged sword. Misinformation and bias can easily spread, thus skewing public perceptions of justice. Therefore, as we continue to engage with these platforms, scrutiny of the narratives encountered, as well as the promotion of responsible and informed digital citizenship, is warranted. The questions raised in this digital age are complex, with the answers still unfolding.
  ​How do you think social media is shaping our perception of justice?

  February 5, 2025

  cases, courts, Justice, law, law impact, legal, manage social media, media, media impact, misinformation, narratives, sal media, social media

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