The usage of social media platforms is inevitable. One can say it is universal. As the name implies, it’s a chance to meet and know new people or enhance already built relationships without stepping out of your home. We have become lazy. Who likes the stress of dealing with emotions? The technology ensures youth can learn a skill and much more without interacting physically with people they do not want, like nasty bullies or impatient teachers.
However, several studies show that between 18-25 are susceptible to a mental breakdown without regular social interaction. Harassment has moved from school corridors to online. It is a problem for these ages when teenagers actualise and understand themselves.
Many social media platforms claim they have taken precautions to make their platforms safe. But bullying activities on the platform continue. There is;
• Name-calling
• Spreading false rumours
• Receiving unsolicited explicit images
• Being tracked by strangers
• Online threats
• Personal explicit images leaked
The victims of such cyberbullying often need counselling as the repercussions can even lead to suicide.
Youth get frustrated when kept away from social media for extended periods as it is an essential part of their interaction, even with people in the same room. The addiction to social media means it dictates how they live their lives. Everyone posts their status updates, and it is easy to see what everyone is doing and where they are. It means one can see if they are left out of activities or liked by simply checking their phone. A slight change in likes or a picture can communicate much more than it did a couple of years back.
That means how you look and who you are on the ‘gram’ (Instagram) are much more important than reality. Terms such as “small girl, big God” often refers to this. However, it is essential to note that social media has hastened how fast a young one can become rich because of the number of eyeballs one has seeing what they do. Not all influencers are wealthy.
Not living in reality and wanting the life in ‘the gram’ for real has contributed to various criminal activities, including cybercrime. A while back, “make it or die trying” was a life philosophy to live by lol; who wants to die without chopping the head of their life. Today “fake it till you make it” seems to make more sense. When it seems everyone is getting ahead of you, it can lead to depression.
Youth should do better and gate their minds with books and lessons from others and their experiences. If you are not encouraged by what you see online, change the people you follow, groups you belong to, and your subscribed spaces. The fact is while social media is here to stay, the options available are as varied as there are people. The benefits far out way the costs if you choose your interactions wisely.
On the other hand, people and platforms should be held responsible for what happens due to their comments or poor policing of a forum. While these are the early days of social media, the laws and policies made now affect the lives of youth worldwide.
