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What is the role of social media in the proliferation of plagiarism?

Birdella Wimlett

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and its impact on various aspects of our lives cannot be ignored. One of the areas where social media has influenced our behavior is in the proliferation of plagiarism. In recent times, social media has played a significant role in creating an environment that encourages plagiarism. In this write-up, I will explore the role of social media in the proliferation of plagiarism.

To begin with, social media has made it easier for individuals to access and share information. While this has its benefits, it has also contributed to the culture of plagiarism. With the vast amount of information available on social media platforms, individuals can easily copy and paste content from various sources without proper citation or attribution. Social media platforms have also made it easier for individuals to share content without thoroughly verifying the source's authenticity. As such, the sharing of plagiarized content on social media platforms is a common occurrence.

Furthermore, social media has created a culture of instant gratification. Individuals want to gain fame, achieve success, and become celebrities in the shortest possible time. In many instances, such individuals resort to copying content from other sources in a bid to fast-track their journey to success. This trend is particularly evident on social media platforms such as Instagram, where the number of followers and likes determines an individual's popularity. As such, individuals often plagiarize content to gain more followers or likes, which translates to more success and fame.

Another critical factor contributing to the proliferation of plagiarism is the anonymity afforded by social media. Individuals can easily create fake accounts and post plagiarized content without fear of getting caught. Such individuals often remain anonymous, and their acts of plagiarism go unnoticed.

In conclusion, social media has played a significant role in the proliferation of plagiarism. The ease with which individuals can access and share information, the culture of instant gratification, and the anonymity afforded by social media have all contributed to the problem. To tackle this issue, social media platforms must adopt measures to identify and penalize individuals who engage in plagiarism. Additionally, individuals should be educated on the dangers of plagiarism and encouraged to embrace originality in their content creation and sharing. By taking these measures, we can foster a culture of creativity and originality on social media platforms.