RÊJEN SELAM

Halabja-The accelerated development of information technology in recent decades has led “digital media” platforms to enter our lives. 5.56 billion people around the world were using the internet at the start of 2025, equivalent to 67.9 percent of the world's total population, according to the Digital 2025 Global Overview Report published by DataReportal in partnership with Meltwater and We Are Social.

Although social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, and Twitch enhance interpersonal communication and help information travel internationally and across borders, the use of social media platforms also has negative effects.

“Social media has negative effects on society,” said Gülistan Mihemed, president of the Human Rights Center in Halabja. “Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the use of technological devices has become widespread in our society, causing the increase in family problems.”

‘Iraq needs a new law’

Gülistan Mihemed thinks that Iraq needs a new law on the use of social media. “Social media is like an unauthorized weapon in our homes. Therefore, we need a new law to protect people. On social media platforms, privacy is being violated, it is necessary to ask permission to take a photo; however, people take photos without asking permission and these photos are used as advertising tools.”

Awareness-raising activities should be carried out about the negative effects of social media, Gülistan Mihemed emphasized. “Social media has both positive and negative effects. People should be careful while using social media platforms.”