Social media — changing the world around us

In its 113 years, I do not believe the prestigious Nobel Prize has found itself so mainstream, hip, and current as it did during the announcement of the winners this year. The secret is social media. Seconds from announcing the winners, their names and profiles and accomplishments are all over Twitter and Facebook.
The sensational win this year was the awarding of Malala Yousafzai, 17, with the peace prize, sharing it with the Indian child-rights activist Kailash Satyarthi for “their struggle against the suppression of children and for the right of all children to education,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.
“The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim — an Indian and a Pakistani — to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism.” With this win, the Pakistani girl became the youngest receiver ever of a Nobel Prize in its history.
In few minutes, Malala became the talk of the Internet, literally. A lot of social media users found her courage and struggle in the face of the ancient and dark mentalities inspiring. Back in 2012, she was shot twice in the head by Taleban while she was on her way to school. Thereafter, she became a symbol of willpower and a messenger defending girls’ right to education around the globe. On her 16th birthday, she addressed the United Nations calling for international access to education. The UN named it “Malala Day” and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called her “our hero.” She helped start Malala Fund, which raises money for girls’ education around the globe, according to vox.com. “I really believe in peace. I really believe in tolerance and patience. I used to say that I do not think I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. I still believe that,” she said after receiving the news of the win.
Political, media, and celebrities used their social media platforms to congratulate the young winner, that included Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, British Deputy Premier Nick Clegg, Christiane Amanpour, the CNN’s Chief International Correspondent, Richard Branson, the well known entrepreneur, and of course, supermodel Naomi Campbell.
This last one got her piece of action when she tweeted “congratulations malaria,” making a horrible spelling mistake of Malala’s name that subjected her, instantly, to a wave of attacks and laughs because of her ignorant mistake. She later tweeted a correction and apology, blaming her phone for the wrong spelling of Malala’s name.
As social media platforms continue to be the beating heart of the world news, they also continue to act as the scrutinizing, unforgiving eye on the simplest, and sometimes honest, mistakes.