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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA AGAINST HARASSMENT’

‘Akancha Against Harassment’ is India’s largest social impact initiative against cyber harassment. It was founded by Miss Akancha Srivastava in February 2017. It’s a not-for-profit Section 8 organization.

Honorary Board of advisors

Foundation’s advisory board hosts – Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chattisgarh), ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Dr Poonam Verma (Principal- SSCBS, Delhi University)

Goals of this initiative

The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities.

Support of the Indian Police for the initiative

Bridging is the most unique attribute of the initiative. We have a host of over 70+ senior police officers from across the country supporting us in content & awareness drive.

This unique strength helps us address any victim complaints that come to us as well as inform people about various measures of law enforcement across the country.

Multilingual AI Chat helpline for cyber safety

We run India’s only functional private national multilingual AI chat helpline for cyber safety. This helpline is currently available in Hindi & English on our website. It can be accessed from any internet enabled device. You can chat here anonymously, fearlessly.

The post Are You A Deepfake Victim? #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Dont Follow Social Media Influencers Blindly! #AAH

Akancha Srivastava — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 04:16:42 +0000

Dont Follow Social Media Influencers Blindly! #AAH

As social media platforms become more popular, the role of social media influencers has also grown. These influencers have a large following on social media and can use this influence to manipulate their rather naïve followers.

These influencers have amassed large followers by sharing their lives online and offering advice and commentary on various topics. While many social media influencers are genuine and well-intentioned, there are also those who manipulate their followers for personal gain. With millions of blind followers on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, these influencers have a lot of power to influence their fans. But how do they do it? How do social media influencers manipulate their followers?

Commercial Interests and Bias

Many social media influencers primarily profit from sponsorships and affiliate marketing (Boerman et al., 2017). They may promote products or services for financial gain, which can compromise the authenticity and objectivity of their recommendations.

For instance, a beauty influencer endorsing a skincare product might receive a substantial payment for their endorsement, potentially influencing their judgment and leading them to promote products that may not be the best fit for their followers.

Lack of Expertise

Despite their massive followings, influencers often lack formal qualifications and expertise in the areas they promote (Tang et al., 2017). They may provide advice on complex subjects like nutrition, fitness, or investment without proper training, leading to potential misinformation and misguided decisions among their followers.

For example, taking financial advice from a fashion influencer might not yield the best results, given their lack of expertise in the field.

Selective Representation

Social media influencers meticulously curate their online personas, presenting an idealized version of their lives (Marwick and Boyd, 2011). This can create unrealistic expectations and contribute to feelings of inadequacy among their followers.

For instance, constant exposure to influencers’ luxurious lifestyles can lead to unrealistic aspirations and dissatisfaction with one’s own life.

Inauthenticity

While influencers may claim to promote authenticity, their online personas are often constructed and polished (Henderson and Bowley, 2010). This can hinder genuine connections and promote shallow relationships built on appearances.

For example, many influencers use Photoshop or filters to enhance their photos, which can create unrealistic beauty standards.

Confirmation Bias

Social media algorithms tend to expose users to content that aligns with their existing beliefs, creating filter bubbles and echo chambers (Pariser, 2011). Following influencers who share your views can further reinforce these biases and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

For example, political influencers with particular ideologies may perpetuate one-sided narratives, leading their followers to develop skewed worldviews.

Short-Term Focus

Influencers often prioritize short-term trends and fads to maintain their popularity (Bucher et al., 2013). This can encourage impulsive spending on products or services with limited long-term value.

For instance, following a fashion influencer who frequently showcases the latest trends might lead to unnecessary spending on constantly changing wardrobe items.

Emotional Manipulation

Influencers are skilled at using emotional triggers, such as the fear of missing out (FOMO), to capture their audience’s attention (Peters et al., 2013). This can lead to impulsive actions and decisions driven by emotions rather than rational thinking.

For example, limited-time offers or exclusive deals promoted by influencers can trigger impulse purchases.

Privacy Concerns- Following influencers often requires sharing personal information and preferences with social media platforms (Turow et al., 2018). This data can be used for targeted advertising, raising privacy concerns and the risk of exploitation.

For instance, the information shared with social media platforms can be used to create highly personalized ads, potentially influencing users’ purchasing decisions.

Lack of Accountability- Social media influencers may not face significant consequences for promoting products or services that turn out to be harmful or ineffective (Neff and Nafus, 2016). This lack of accountability can leave consumers vulnerable to poor choices. For example, a health influencer promoting unverified dietary supplements may not face legal repercussions even if those supplements harm their followers.
Influence on Vulnerable Audiences – Young and impressionable audiences may be particularly susceptible to the influence of social media personalities (Fardouly et al., 2018). This can result in poor decision-making and behavior among these groups. For instance, teenagers may emulate risky behaviors endorsed by influencers without considering the potential consequences.

While social media influencers can provide entertainment, inspiration, and valuable insights, it is vital to approach their recommendations and influence with a critical mindset. People should be aware of the commercial interests, lack of expertise, and potential biases associated with influencers. To make informed decisions, individuals should seek out diverse perspectives, verify information, and prioritize their own well-being and values over the influence of social media personalities.

Please note that we have also taken references from relevant articles online

Stay Aware, Stay Safe

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA AGAINST HARASSMENT’

Honorary Board of advisors

Goals of this initiative

The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities.

Support of the Indian Police for the initiative

Bridging is the most unique attribute of the initiative. We have a host of over 70+ senior police officers from across the country supporting us in content & awareness drive.

This unique strength helps us address any victim complaints that come to us as well as inform people about various measures of law enforcement across the country.

Multilingual AI Chat helpline for cyber safety

The post Dont Follow Social Media Influencers Blindly! #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Our Take On Aradhya Bachchan Case #AAH

Akancha Srivastava — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 04:00:33 +0000

Our Take On Aradhya Bachchan Case #AAH

As is our advise always on use of social media & exposure to it for children, we reiterate that Moderation in use of #SocialMedia especially by children is important for their #Mentalhealth. Stop encouraging them to seek validation from strangers.

Specific to Aradhya Bachchan case where she moved High Court to have defaming & false information about her health removed, the court ruled in her favor and ordered removal of such content including videos speculating on her health. About time media & social media influencers conducted themselves responsibly. Spreading misinformation especially about little children can have very distressing and long term impact on their mind.

Here are few links to the news-

HT- LINK

ET- LINK

Print- LINK

The New Indian Express- LINK

Stay Aware, Stay Safe

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat

The post Our Take On Aradhya Bachchan Case #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Bollywood, Give Us Better Heroes! #AAH

Akancha Srivastava — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 04:27:24 +0000

Bollywood, Give Us Better Heroes! #AAH

Two things India is most passionate about is – Bollywood & cricket. Bollywood heroes are worshipped in the country & youngsters idolize them. In such a scenario it’s the responsibility of big heroes to set good examples?

There has been increasingly violent characterization of heroes in our films where they are shown committing violence, acts of abuse, stalking women. And these are depicted as heroic acts. But is it really heroic? That’s where we need to differentiate between a Bollywood hero and villain.

Showing psychopathic behavior as normalized, dysfunctional characters as larger than life is not right. Young adults or children believe this to be normal. For example, chasing a woman despite her saying no, physically beating her, threatening with consequences, refusing to accept rejection in a romantic situation- are nothing to be idolized about!

Few recent films have shown “heroes” entering class rooms & “picking” their girlfriends at their will & then harassing that girl against her consent, or threatening her with dire consequences if she refuses the hero’s advances, obsessively following her. Ironically, the heroine goes on to marry this stalker too in the end!

Such dysfunctional characters definitely exist in real life but they are criminals. They are not desirable. On reel life, they need to be shown as a negative character not heroes!

अक्सर बॉलीवुड के हीरो को ऐसे दर्शाया गया है की वो लड़की का पीछा सालों तक करते हैं, उसे सब के सामने थप्पड़ मारते हैं, उसके मना करने के बावजूद शादी के लिए ज़बरदस्ती करते हैं या उसकी जान भी ले लेते हैं!

जब बच्चे या युवा अपने पसंदीदा हीरो को ऐसी हरकतें करते हुए देखते हैं तो उन्हें लगता है की अगर उनका हीरो ऐसा कर रहा है तो यह शायद ठीक ही होगा या शायद अच्छा भी हो! बहुत से ऐसे किस्से हैं जहाँ औरतों के खिलाफ जुर्म की तहकीकात में पता चला की वो किसी फिल्म से प्रेरित था

हमें इस प्रथा को बदलना होगा, अब हमें यह पता है की हिंसा को ऐसे नहीं दिखाना है जिस से युवा उस काम तो करने से प्रेरित हों, यह काम तो विलन करता है जिसका अंत हमेशा बुरा ही होता है

Such content is today available direct to home on OTT platforms Kids have an even easier access to them. If they watch such “heroes” at an early age, they will grow up believing that what their idols do on screen, is perfectly normal. This needs to be stopped! They need to learn the difference between Bollywood hero and villain.

Think. Demand better content.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn:

ABOUT ‘AKANCHA AGAINST HARASSMENT’

‘Akancha Against Harassment’ is India’s largest social impact initiative against cyber harassment. It was founded by Miss Akancha Srivastava in February 2017. Its a not-for-profit Section 8 organization.

Honorary Board of advisors

Foundation’s advisory board hosts – Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chattisgarh), ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), Special IG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Dr Poonam Verma (Principal- SSCBS, Delhi University)

Goals of this initiative

The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities.

Support of the Indian Police for the initiative

Bridging is the most unique attribute of the initiative. We have a host of over 65+ senior police officers from across the country supporting us in content & awareness drive.

This unique strength helps us address any victim complaints that come to us as well as inform people about various measures of law enforcement across the country.

Multilingual AI Chat helpline for cyber safety

We run India’s only private national multilingual AI chat helpline for cyber safety. This helpline is currently available in Hindi & English on our website. It can be accessed from any internet enabled device. You can chat here anonymously, fearlessly.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

The post Bollywood, Give Us Better Heroes! #AAH appeared first on Akancha Srivastava Foundation.

Entrepreneurs, Create Magic Online! #AAH

Akancha Srivastava — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 04:00:59 +0000

Entrepreneurs, Create Magic Online! #AAH

Ashmi SInghai is the Founder of ‘The BrowMaster’, a permanent makeup studio in Mumbai. She is young, enthusiastic and always ready to learn new skills that help her in this entrepreneurial journey. She believes that with all the knowledge available online today, entrepreneurs can create magic for their businesses, expand customer base, reach out to a wider range of customers, be their very own marketing & PR agents, letting their work speak for itself! Ashmi encourages all entrepreneurs to invest in learning online skills.

Ashmi is also a mother and her concerns regarding technology revolve around her daughter’s use of internet. Especially in the last couple of years, all studies have been online as well as extracurricular activities like learning music etc. It has isolated children from their real-life friends majorly owing to the pandemic requirements. Today kids want to spend most of their time socializing with friends online or playing online games.

There is a healthy boundary that needs to be established where kids are also interacting with their peers in real physical life, spending time outside playing physical games and more.

Listen to Ashmi & her tryst with technology. Do share your thoughts with us.

Stay strong, stay aware, stay safe.

CONTACT US:

Twitter: @AkanchaS

Instagram: @akanchas

Facebook:

LinkedIn: