Social threat
I agree that there are some useful aspects to social networking websites, but some people use them in ridiculous situations (‘Woman kills baby for interrupting her Facebook session', Gulf News, October 30). The fact of indiscriminate usage is getting more evident now, considering that the mobile phone is the new portal of social media. Some people have attached themselves to the websites and are unwilling to separate themselves from them. They are constantly thinking about what to post next. Not only do people now know where you are because of your updates, but the websites show people your current venue, even if you are not friends! You will be giving away your location to people, which means you are not at home, leaving your house vulnerable to thieves. Recently, I watched the movie The Social Network and the movie's tagline — ‘Get to 300 Million Friends without making a few' — pretty much sums up the world of Facebook fanatics. People will chat with their neighbour instead of actually meeting them. They post "Happy Birthday" on your wall and then forget all about it and the warmth of a formal card and personal wish is gone. So, the question is, can we stop it?
From Mr Ryan D'souza,
Dubai

Losing reality
It is a shame that the value of a child went unnoticed for the sake of a game on Facebook. It is a good lesson for those who prefer Facebook over spending time with their children or family. I, too, have a Facebook account, but have never been confused between the use of social media and children.
From Mr D. Perera
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Website comment

Shocked
I am still shocked that a mother could kill her child for a simple game. Less said the better as she has changed the true meaning of “mother”. No matter what the court decides about her fate, but she should be severely punished for such a brutal act. I am short of words at her actions.
From Ms Fauzia Raza
Sharjah
Website comment

The good and bad
It depends on the person who uses such tools, as each subject has got its negatives and positives. [Social media] is a wonderful tool for you to connect with people, exchange business or personal ideas and solutions. But, at the same time it can ruin your life. The person using such tools needs to practise more self control. At the same time he or she needs to adopt a lot of security measures. Today, the whole society is into social networking. It opens up a new platform for people to post their opinions. In fact higher authorities are using it as a tool to evaluate their services with constant feedback from the public in order to serve the community better.
From Mr Sonny Peter
Dubai

Mentally ill
I do not believe it is the Facebook addiction. She must have been mentally ill for a period of time and so she acted in such a way. If not in this way, she would have done this [killed her child] in some other way!
From Ms Ameenah
Andhra Pradesh, India
Website comment

Unacceptable actions
Social networking websites, like Facebook, are really making people crazy. But, you cannot do that to your own child. Facebook is nothing compared to your own blood. What she did to her own child is really unreasonable and unacceptable.
From Ms Aisha Faisal
Dubai
Website comment

The real world
This is a clear example of the world we are living in. People are so engrossed with the internet, television and media that we tend to forget the real world. We should all wake up and live in the real world rather than depending on the digital life.
From Mr A. J.
Abu Dhabi
Website comment

Tragedy occurs
Parenthood is such a serious matter that one must not only be physically and financially prepared but also emotionally balanced! I cannot bear thinking that one is capable of killing her own child because of a game. This is a tragedy.
From Ms Soraya
Dubai
Website comment

Focus on reality
Social media has the potential of [spreading harmful rumours] in a digital format. In the name of engaging all stakeholders, should all acts and deliverables of an entity be for public scrutiny, negotiation and consensus? If only the masses were so clued in on with the realities of life and the dynamics of wisdom, there would be no need for governments, police or judicial systems in the world! Let’s ponder over this before we cast our vote for considering social media as a healthy and intelligent proposition. It is more of a free-for-all personal marketing vehicle than a purposeful conduit for a serious enterprise.
From Mr Reuben Smile
Dubai

Right or wrong
Social media in itself is not a threat. It is a tool that can be used for the purpose of wider information dispersion, closer contact between friends and family living apart and just being part of a bigger community within the limited time that our lives give us. However, this same tool in the wrong hands can lead to bad publicity, harassment and misinformation and in the worst cases even mass hysteria. Parents would do well to restrict the access of their children to such websites until the moment the children are able to judge between right and wrong.
From Ms Sumaiah Rao
Dubai