By Yasir Ahmad Mir
Writer, Analyst, and Advocate for Cultural Integrity
In the age of social media, our world has undergone a seismic cultural shift. The omnipresence of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others has revolutionized communication, but at what cost? The current landscape is marked by a new kind of moral framework—a shame culture that emphasizes inclusion and exclusion over traditional concepts of right and wrong. This transformation is particularly concerning for young people, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where deep-rooted cultural and moral values are being undermined by the superficial allure of digital validation.
This article explores the intersection of morality, culture, and social media, unpacking how these platforms foster shamelessness) and immorality. We will delve into the psychological and societal consequences of this shift, contrast it with traditional guilt and shame cultures, and discuss how we can reclaim a moral compass rooted in justice and virtue.
The Dichotomy of Guilt and Shame Cultures
Anthropologists and sociologists have long distinguished between guilt cultures and shame cultures:
Guilt Culture: Here, individuals discern right and wrong through an internal conscience. Their sense of morality is deeply personal and rooted in self-reflection.
Shame Culture: In contrast, individuals derive their sense of morality from the community. One is considered “good” or “bad” based on whether the community honors or ostracizes them.
Traditionally, shame cultures were common in regions like Asia, where the opposite of shame was “honor” or “face”—being seen as a dignified, upstanding citizen. The new shame culture, born out of the digital age, has a different benchmark: celebrity. Today, being “honored” means being attention-grabbing, aggressively unique, or celebrated on social media.
The rise of social media has transformed our moral framework into a continuum of inclusion and exclusion. Praise and recognition from the online community have become the ultimate goals, while social exile equates to moral failure.
The New Shame Culture in the Age of Social Media
The omnipresence of social media has created a culture of constant display, observation, and judgment. This shame culture operates on several levels:
1. Inclusion and Exclusion as Moral Foundations:
In this system, moral life is not about doing what is inherently right or wrong but about being accepted or ostracized by a group. The fear of exclusion drives behavior, leading individuals to conform to group norms, even at the expense of their principles.
2. Reciprocal Praise for Acceptance:
Group members often lavish each other with praise, hoping for validation in return. This creates a feedback loop where self-worth is tied to superficial approval.
3. The Role of Enforcers:
Within these groups, certain individuals act as enforcers, condemning those who deviate from the “group code.” This often leads to vicious online attacks, instant ridicule, and the public shaming of those who stumble or disagree.
4. Overreaction and Sensitivity:
Group members demand instant respect and recognition, perceiving any slight or criticism as a moral offense. This leads to overreaction, moral panics, and an atmosphere of perpetual anxiety.
Unlike traditional shame cultures, where the goal was to maintain dignity and honor, the new shame culture prioritizes visibility and attention. The quest for likes, followers, and comments fosters insecurity, as individuals chase shifting standards dictated by the crowd.
The Consequences of the New Shame Culture
This transformation has far-reaching consequences:
1. Erosion of Cultural Values
In regions like Jammu and Kashmir, known for their deep cultural and moral roots, the rise of besharmi and be-hayai represents a profound loss. Social media has normalized behaviors that clash with the region’s traditional values of modesty (haya), respect, and dignity.
2. Perpetual Insecurity
In a moral system based on inclusion and exclusion, no permanent standards exist. Individuals constantly fear falling out of favor with the group, leading to oversensitivity and a lack of genuine self-worth.
3. Loss of Individuality
The pressure to conform to group norms stifles individuality and critical thinking. People feel compelled to go along with the crowd, even when it conflicts with their personal beliefs.
4. Intolerance and Unmerciful Behavior
While modern shame culture values inclusion and tolerance, it is strangely unmerciful to those who dissent. Those who fail to fit in or align with group norms are often ridiculed, ostracized, or “canceled.”
The Positive and Negative Aspects of Shame Culture
Positives
The new shame culture has the potential to rebind the social fabric. After decades of individualism, it fosters a sense of community and collective accountability. This could counteract the atomizing trends of recent decades.
Negatives
However, the negatives far outweigh the positives. A culture built on the shifting judgment of the crowd fosters anxiety, oversensitivity, and moral panics. Without deeper, more permanent standards of justice and virtue, individuals are left adrift in a sea of insecurity.
The Crisis of Morality in Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the misuse of social media has exacerbated an already fragile moral landscape. The region has witnessed a disturbing rise in behaviors that undermine its cultural heritage. Young boys flaunt aggression and arrogance, while many girls indulge in activities that conflict with the region’s emphasis on modesty and grace.
The situation is further compounded by the influence of Western media and globalization. While progress and modernity are essential, blind imitation often leads to moral and ethical disarray.
A Path Forward: Reclaiming Our Moral Compass
Addressing the crisis of besharmi and be-hayai requires a multi-faceted approach:
1. Rediscovering Personal Values
In an era of omnipresent social media, individuals must discover and defend their own “True North”—a vision of justice and virtue that transcends the shifting whims of the crowd.
2. Parental Guidance
Parents play a critical role in shaping their children’s moral framework. Open communication, consistent monitoring of online behavior, and leading by example are essential.
3. Emphasizing Religious and Ethical Teachings
Religious teachings offer a timeless moral foundation:
Islam: The Qur’an emphasizes modesty and humility, urging individuals to guard their dignity.
Christianity: The Bible advocates for transformation through the renewal of the mind, rejecting conformity to worldly standards.
Hinduism and Sikhism: Both traditions emphasize righteousness (dharma) and humility as pathways to a harmonious life.
4. Educational Reform
Schools must introduce curricula that teach digital literacy, ethical behavior, and the responsible use of social media.
5. Community Engagement
Community leaders, influencers, and educators must work together to raise awareness about the dangers of social media misuse and promote constructive behavior.
6. Social Media Accountability
Platforms must enforce stricter content guidelines and promote campaigns that encourage responsible online behavior.
Restoring a Culture of Integrity
The way forward requires deliberate and consistent action across all sectors of society. Social media is not inherently evil; it is a tool, and like all tools, its value depends on how it is used. To turn the tide, we must approach this challenge with a combination of policy, education, community action, and individual responsibility.
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7. Policy Interventions
Governments must step in to regulate harmful content on social media. This includes:
Stricter Laws: Enforcing cyberbullying, harassment, and indecent content laws with severe penalties for violators.
Support for Victims: Establishing hotlines and counseling services for those affected by online shaming or harassment.
Monitoring Mechanisms: Implementing AI-driven tools to identify and flag harmful or indecent content in real-time.
Additionally, campaigns to promote digital ethics can be launched to create awareness about responsible online behavior.
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8. Role of Religious Leaders and Community Elders
Religious and community leaders wield significant influence. Their role in addressing the moral degradation of society is paramount.
Preaching Values: Sermons, discussions, and community programs can focus on promoting values like modesty, humility, and respect.
Social Media Advocacy: Leveraging social media to spread positive messages and counteract harmful trends can be a powerful strategy.
When community leaders speak against the negative influences of social media and emphasize traditional virtues, they pave the way for cultural renewal.
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9. Rehabilitating Youth Through Engagement
Many young people fall into harmful social media practices out of boredom or a lack of purpose. Offering them meaningful alternatives is critical.
Skill Development Programs: Encouraging youth to develop skills that align with their interests can shift their focus from frivolous online pursuits to productive activities.
Volunteer Work: Participation in community service projects can instill a sense of responsibility and connection to their cultural roots.
Creative Outlets: Providing platforms for young people to express themselves through art, writing, or performance can channel their energies positively.
10. Reinforcement of Cultural Pride
One of the reasons besharmi and be-hayai thrive is the erosion of cultural pride. Reviving interest in local traditions, art, music, and language can help anchor youth in their heritage.
Festivals and Events: Hosting events that celebrate regional culture can instill a sense of identity and belonging.
Mentorship Programs: Pairing young individuals with elders who can pass down wisdom and traditions fosters respect and continuity.
Media Representation: Highlighting local heroes, historical figures, and cultural achievements on social media can counter the trend of superficial celebrity worship.
The Intersection of Drugs and Immorality
In Jammu and Kashmir, the government’s crackdown on drug abuse is a laudable initiative. However, the crisis of immorality on social media is an equally pressing issue. While drug addicts can be treated in hospitals, addressing besharmi and be-hayai requires a broader cultural shift.
Religious teachings offer insight into the root cause of these issues. For example:
Islam: Warns against vanity and excess, emphasizing the inner beauty of modesty and integrity.
Christianity: Advocates humility and self-control, urging followers to resist temptation.
Hinduism: Promotes the concept of Satya (truth) and Dharma (righteous living) as pathways to a fulfilling life.
By integrating these values into anti-drug campaigns, we can address both problems holistically.
Restoring the Balance: Justice and Virtue as Pillars
The new shame culture thrives on the unstable foundation of social approval. To build a healthier society, we must anchor morality in enduring principles of justice and virtue.
Building Inner Strength
Self-Awareness: Encouraging individuals to reflect on their values and set personal standards that go beyond social validation.
Emotional Resilience: Teaching youth to handle criticism and rejection without compromising their integrity.
Promoting Empathy
Loving the Sinner: A guilt culture allows for the separation of the deed from the person. We must cultivate a society that hates the sin but loves the sinner, offering redemption rather than ostracization.
The Role of Technology Companies
Social media platforms must take responsibility for the moral consequences of their tools. Steps they can take include:
Educational Content: Promoting videos, blogs, and campaigns that encourage ethical use of social media.
Algorithmic Accountability: Adjusting algorithms to prioritize positive, educational, and community-building content over sensationalism.
Parental Controls: Offering robust tools for parents to monitor and guide their children’s online activities.
A New Vision for the Future
Rediscovering True North
To navigate the chaos of modern shame culture, individuals and communities must rediscover their “True North”—an ultimate vision of the good that provides a stable foundation for morality. This vision must transcend the fleeting whims of the crowd and align with timeless values of justice, integrity, and compassion.
Raising Generations Rooted in Values
It is imperative to teach the next generation to value substance over appearance, virtue over popularity, and character over celebrity. By instilling these principles, we can create a society that resists the corrosive influence of besharmi and be-hayai on social media.
A Unified Effort
Reforming society requires the collective efforts of families, educators, religious leaders, policymakers, and individuals. Together, we can build a community that celebrates modesty, respects individuality, and upholds the dignity of every person.
Social media has reshaped the world in profound ways, but it has also introduced challenges that demand our urgent attention. The rise of besharmi and be-hayai, particularly among youth, threatens the moral and cultural fabric of society. However, this crisis also presents an opportunity—a chance to redefine our values, strengthen our communities, and guide the next generation toward a brighter future.
Through a combination of education, cultural pride, religious teachings, and policy interventions, we can combat the misuse of social media and restore a sense of dignity, modesty, and justice. Let us not be passive observers of moral decay but active participants in the renewal of our society.
The road ahead is long, but with determination and unity, we can ensure that our cultural heritage and moral values not only survive but thrive in the digital age.
