Penza, 19 May 2016. PenzaNews. The social networks are a colossal force that can be used for creative and destructive ends alike, suggested Nikita Mikhalkov, People’s Artist of the RSFSR, chairman of the Russian Cinematographists Union, during his meeting with the students and professors of the Penza State University on Thursday, May 19.

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To prove his point, he recalled how social networks helped set up revolutions and strikes and topple govermments.

“You see, when a young girl wants to end her life because her photo did not get 100 likes, this is a catastrophe,” the filmmaker said, adding that social networks often cause people to get wrapped up in their own little worlds.

Moreover, according to Nikita Mikhalkov, social networks “make people completely lose any respect for the Russian language.”

“Horrendous spelling is even seen as respectable behavior now. […] Of course, this can be described as a kind of irony, […] but the Internet does a great deal in the language destitution process,” said the chairman of the Russian Cinematographists Union.

However, he also pointed out that the social networks and the Internet overall provide “an enormous power and capability” to people thanks to giving them an ability to exchange information almost instantaneously.

“I have enormous respect for it. But I see danger there. And I would like for others to see it too,” Nikita Mikhalkov concluded.