As the internet quickly becomes more widely available in Burma, the phenomenon of social media is taking off. With netizens flocking daily to sites such as Facebook, DVB Debate discusses where social media belongs in Burmese society.

With thanks, especially to Facebook, people in Burma are accessing more news and information than ever before. Many exile media groups– including DVB – use social media to send news into the country.

While there are advantages of a country becoming more connected, some groups are using the web to spread hate speech, rousing religious tensions online.

On the DVB Debate panel is 88 Generation Student leader, Jimmy; poet, Mon Mon Myat; and blogger, Nay Phone Latt.

“Currently, there are a lot of disadvantages in social media,” said Nay Phone Latt, “It can be made more advantageous by users on Facebook. I am going to be part of that process.”

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Mon Mon Myat disagreed and said social media sites were a reflection of society and human behavior.

“It is designed by people for people and will show how and what we think and do – such as gossiping or spreading rumours. Because of this, [social media] will be very difficult to change,” said Mon Mon Myat.

Studio guest and blogger Tin Myat Htet thought people shouldn’t use Facebook for trivial reasons.

“People who use Facebook to post where they are, what they’re doing, or photos of their food is pointless,” he said.

Many of the studio guests thought social media wouldn’t benefit society because the network could be abused.

“There will always be rabble-rousers who use social media but we need to be aware of them,” said 88 Generation Student leader, Jimmy, “After we get more experienced at using social media we will be able to differentiate who is trouble, which are the fake accounts, and who is doing good.”

Next week on DVB Debate: Should women have more top jobs?

You can join the debate and watch the full programme in Burmese at www.dvbdebate.com

Or share your views with us by commenting on our website at www.dvb.no