Somy Ali: Blue Tick Verification for Safer Online Communication
By Nimesh Dhakan
Summary of this article: Somy Ali highlights the importance of blue tick verification in ensuring the authenticity of social media accounts, promoting safer communication for teenagers and young adults.
The Obsession Around Blue Ticks on Social Media
For many social media users, especially celebrities, the blue tick verification symbol has become essential. In fact, the obsession around the blue tick has turned it into a business. Bollywood actor turned humanitarian Somy Ali, who runs her NGO No More Tears, speaks on the importance of blue tick verification.
“My perspective on this comes from an activist and the founder of a non-profit point of view. I believe that there are several fans who assume they are corresponding with real celebrities solely because they have a blue tick which gives me a little comfort as someone who rescues young girls and boys being sexually trafficked. Thus, in my opinion, the blue tick verification is mandatory because it makes it safe for teenagers and young adults knowing that they are tweeting, messaging, or even sending a DM to the right person."
Somy Ali highlights the importance of blue tick verification in ensuring the authenticity of social media accounts. She believes that the internet is a dangerous place, especially given the field she works in. Many parents and people are oblivious to how easily their children get recruited by traffickers on social media sites. Hence, from a legitimacy and safety perspective, it's absolutely essential for world-renowned individuals to have the blue tick, and she believes they can easily afford to pay for it.
“Talking about the vanity perspective, I find it rather ridiculous to pay out of pocket for a blue tick. Again, this draws on the issue of how everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame. In fact, in this era that expression is old school and now every teenager and young adult is chasing ways to be famous at any cost and they definitely want more than fifteen minutes of fame. We all know that this yearning to be known and be famous will never ever dissipate, and therefore, honestly, there is nothing we can do to stop it."
Somy Ali believes that the desire to be famous is never going to go away. It is human nature, and everyone has a narcissistic side. While some people may have a stronger desire to be known, it's a battle that we will never win. Moreover, she believes that the majority of people are not interested in significant issues such as climate change, human trafficking, rape, child abuse, and several other issues that her NGO has been fighting against for the past 16 years.
“As far as focusing on better and more substantial issues, we know that the majority is the masses, and the masses are not interested in significant issues. So this is a battle that we will not win. And, fame is a drug that no rehabilitation center can eradicate. It is here to stay, and all we can do is hope that our youth don't put their lives at risk as they partake in this game of fame."
While Somy Ali acknowledges that fame is a drug that no rehabilitation center can eradicate, she emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of social media and the need for safety measures such as blue tick verification. Ultimately, the desire for fame may be here to stay, but it's essential to prioritize safety and authenticity on social media platforms.
