Social media consists of different individuals with differing ideologies and perspectives on charity. Each one of them has their own experiences. While one may have had a bad experience from giving alms, another may have experienced blessings from it—either way, it affects the audience both positively and negatively. While there are religious aspects to alms giving, people have relied more on the experiences of others and the buzz social media creates regarding charity. While social media was intended to be a platform for interaction, it has also become a medium of influence, not just positively, but negatively, and it has impacted the world on both sides.
People's intentions are often judged negatively online. You are criticized if you give too much or too little. Everything done seems to be criticized and scrutinized. People who seek validation from the media use that avenue to promote what they want people to believe about them, but their alms are not given in love, but for engagement. While there are people around us seeking help, some people may choose to give online to draw certain attention that giving in secret wouldn't draw. Social media in this regard has helped raise people who want to be praised for their good deeds.
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A certain user on Twitter who sought help from followers was able to raise 32 million. That feels good—to have people who support someone in need. However, while that feels good, he seems to have lost his freedom of speech with constant reminders of how much they raised to help him. This has made people afraid to accept alms and charitable services on social platforms. Everyone has seen the aftermath of receiving help and is afraid to air out their needs, scared of situations like this—and people believe alms giving doesn't guarantee certain freedoms.
Not every influence of social media on charity is negative. Certain engagement on social media has promoted charity and has helped a lot of people give to the needy and certain causes. People who don't come in contact with the needy on a daily basis sometimes give in support of certain projects, and some people have learned through constant messages and articles the value of giving.
While social media influences people differently, it's still a means to reach wider audiences. So whoever is presented to the people—whether good or bad—about charity would reach a large number of people.