Does social media promote or undermine democracy?

Democracy as defined by Abraham Lincoln is “government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Social media appears to fit the bill as a suitable tool for enhancing democracy. It enables users to create and share content unhindered whether political or not. It bolsters freedom of speech and a free press. But is it really the force that will bring us all together or a behemoth that may tear us apart?

A seminal change in social media management takes us to Australia where approximately 40% of the population use Facebook as their primary news source. When faced with pressure from the Australian government to pay local newspapers for sharing their content, the corporation stopped the sharing of local news material on its platform. This could undermine the reach of free press and its role in society. Unlike conventional media companies which tend to have a focus and political bias in their stories; anyone can post, comment, and share on Facebook. Hence, people are exposed to more perspectives than they would be if they just got news from media like TV news or a specific newspaper. Removing this could lead to more polarised media in the country.

Others would be quick to point to the impact that it has had on the many social justice campaigns which we have seen. During the Arab Spring, Facebook gave a voice to people when state-controlled media wanted to silence them. It provided the catalyst which ousted dictators through coordinated protests by people. In the West, its effect is even more pronounced. Movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter were bolstered by social media and the virality it brings. By sharing videos, people were able to attribute faces to the victims of societal ills instead of evaluating their ordeals solely through text. This made people take action.

Nonetheless, social media can also facilitate unjustified violence. Even the United States, the epitome of democracy is not spared. The world watched in horror as the US Capitol was stormed by a mob of protestors. Much of the planning for the act was conducted over platforms like Parler and Facebook. What the world saw on the Capitol was the culmination of thousands of divisive media posts which the platforms had not dealt with. The UN has also said that Facebook was a tool in the 2017 genocide against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

Social media has brought us together in more ways than we can imagine. It allows us all to participate in the arena of politics and has allowed campaigns to reach a larger audience. However, it has, at times, undermined our democracy. But there are ways forward. Some propose breaking up the monopoly-like structure of profit-driven companies like Facebook. Others look towards changing legislation like ‘Article 230’ in the US which protects social media companies from being held responsible for content posted on their platforms. But much more must be done if our government is to continue being for us and by us.

What would winning a Crowd Scholar scholarship mean to you?

I was 14 when my family returned to the UK after 4 years in Nigeria which, at the time, struggled with terrorism and the Ebola virus. I saw the importance of a reliable healthcare system which inspired my desire for a medical career.

I began school where I excelled. My school wasn’t high achieving but where others saw disadvantage, I saw a small demand on limited resources like books. I saw a welfare state that was willing to help the ambitious and draw out those who grasped its warm arms.

Making the most of the opportunities around me, I became a volunteer and joined the Young Scot Health Panel, contributing to Scottish Government recommendations on curbing underaged drinking. Balancing these with my role as a young carer for my disabled brother, I secured an offer to study Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

Now, I look to the Crowd Scholarship and its noble mission. Winning the scholarship would be an honour, not just for the financial aid but also because of what the scholarship stands for. It will allow me to attend university without having to worry about finances, allowing me to make the most of the university experience and grow into a well-rounded individual. In doing so, I hope to continue to effect change in health policy.

Deputy Head Teacher, St Margaret Mary's Secondary School:

St Margaret Mary's Secondary School is a six year Roman Catholic secondary school in Castlemilk, Glasgow. The school currently has 415 pupils. Pupils from SIMD 1 and 2 pupils account for 80.5% of our roll, 7.2% of our pupils have English as a second language, 5.7% or our pupils are black or from another ethnic minority. Ayomide joined St Margaret Mary's Secondary School on 31.08.2018. He had previously been educated at school in Nigeria. He moved to Castlemilk with his mother, sister and two younger brothers. His youngest brother has Down syndrome. Ayomide is a young carer for him. His father has remained in Nigeria. He is a recipient of both a free school meal and the Education Maintenance Allowance.

He is an exceptionally hardworking, motivated pupil who is both capable and determined to do well. Embracing every opportunity that is offered to him, he is a responsible, independent worker and very effective time manager. Ayomide obtained seven National 5 awards at the end of his S4. He obtained A grade passes in all seven subjects and was awarded the junior dux award at the school awards ceremony.

Ayomide studied six Highers in S5; he was the only student in our school to do so, with the maximum set at five. This is a reflection not only on his academic ability but his strong work ethic and capacity to work indepenedently. It is worth highlighting that Ayomide taught himself Physics at both National 5 and Higher level and achieved A1 awards for both. He was awarded school dux for his outstanding performance in S5. He has been the highest performing student in the school since his enrolment and remains so.

Ayomide was successful in his application to study 4 Advanced Highers at Glasgow Caledonia University’s Advanced Higher Hub. He commutes from school which is on the outskirts of Glasgow to the city centre for these classes, as they are not offered in school. The first student in the school to be presented for 4 Advanced Highers, he has thrived and grasped every opportunity offered to him.

His commitment to his education extends into his free time, he completed the Higher Mathematics course during his summer holiday and independently sat 2 American SAT Subject Tests in Biology and Chemistry coming in the 90th percentile for both.

Ayomide aspires to study Medicine and has a particular interest in cardiothoracic surgery. He participated in a week-long work experience placement at Glasgow Royal Infirmary shadowing a consultant cardiologist. He has also completed a 2-week experience at a local nursing home where he made a very positive impression in a professional environment.

Ayomide is a very reliable pupil, he is quietly confident, very pleasant, polite and extremely well mannered. He has formed positive relationships with both his peers and staff and is a popular and highly valued member of our school community.

A very talented musician who plays the saxophone, trumpet and violin, his musical talents have enhanced the whole school celebration of the Liturgy for both the community of St Margaret Mary’s and of our co-located partners, St Oswald’s ASN Secondary School.

Ayomide is a very active member of the community. He is a member of the Castlemilk Youth Group and the Young Scot Health Panel. Very recently his contributions to public health earned him a spot among Scotland’s Top 5 Young System Changers. https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/from-food-waste-to-mental-health-meet-the-young-scots-making-big-changes-in-their-communities/.

It has been a privilege to get to know Ayomide and his family. It is testament to Ayomide that our whole school community is behind him in this application. We work in partnership with his parents who could not be more supportive of his ambition. It is abundantly clear to all that teach Ayomide that he has the ability, skills set and personal attributes to be a highly suitable candidate.