Applying Buddhist Principles for the Age of Social Media

“The information age, with the Internet and so on, has evolved into an age of social media, with social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and the ubiquitous use of text messaging with cell phones. This has changed the way that people relate to one another. Add to this the ever-growing use of iPods, listening to music all day long, and the proliferation of video games, so that many people are now connected to music, gaming, texting and social networking wherever they are, all day and night. Each of these developments has brought both benefits and detrimental side effects. In any case, these developments are having a profound effect on people. I should like to explore how Buddhism may be of help to amplify the benefits and lessen the harms that are coming from this social change. So let me point out a few points that are benefits of this social media, and then disadvantages that are there, and what Buddhism has to offer in the face of these developments. “  The article  continues  here at  The Buddhist Archives of Dr. Alexander Berzin.