The Impact of Social Media on Youth

 The Impact of Social Media on Youth

 

The 21^st century society is akin to advancements in science, technology and socioeconomic wellbeing. The world today is hefty reliant on complex computer algorithms, artificial intelligence and digitized computer networks all around the globe which has led to an easier and more comfortable life. The early 2010s brought rise to the concept of social media with Mark Zuckerberg’s concept of Facebook which led to many more such social media services to follow. The likes of Google, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Snap chat are a few examples of such social media services which have grasped the internet.

 

Social media has had many positive effects seen over the years. The use of Google Web Services provides the youth with an ocean of information right in their fingertips. Similarly with development of Google, one can easily search up and get the exact information that one is looking for. This is essential for students, teachers, researchers, scientists, and businessmen etc. to conduct their required task in an efficient manner. The ease of access provided by social media has also made the youth more comprehensive and alert. The narrow scope of thought is no longer present as the internet has given the youth information on various nook and crannies of the world from news, politics to lifestyle and recreation. Similarly, the social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram have made it easier to connect with friends and loved ones. The rise of messaging apps such as Messenger, Wthatsapp, and Viber has made contacting each other way easier and reliable. Online shopping is another benefit. The concept of online courses in cheap and prices has been a boon to children and students who cannot afford expensive tuition. A lot of students who do not understand difficult concepts in their institutes understand such concepts from teachers teaching in online platforms. Similarly online services and social media have encouraged aspiring artists and talented individuals to showcase their ability in the internet which is welcomed and complimented; encouraging creativity and art.

Social media regardless of all the positives have many drawbacks affecting not just the youth but older and more mature people. The rise in social media has led to the subsequent increase in one’s screen time. A lot of people are highly addicted to their phones and gadgets have led to decrease in connecting capacity of such people. The social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have promoted digital creators which is a good to some extent but in the current scenario we have seen many teenagers obsessing about being a digital creator; A study in 2020 showed that girls of age 9-14 are blindly getting involved in making Tiktoks, reels and getting too engrossed in beauty products is instead of working on themselves. The craze for views and likes negatively affect the mental functioning of the youth from a young age. The rise of social media influencers have led to continues feeling of insecurity in the youth. The subsequent effect is shown as the lack of confidence, shyness and reduced ability to socialize. Students now days do not really make as many friends in real life, as they can spend their leisure in social media without feeling lonely or missing friends.

Another major negative impact of social media is the toxic social media culture. Toxicity in the internet such as bad and demeaning comments, filthy jokes, and sexual jokes affects the psychological integrity of the viewer as well as the creators. Nudity and vulgar language is commonly promoted in the social media application. Algorithm may provide explicit content to the youth. Similarly, the toxic culture has led to a depreciated mid set in younger generations; they speak to their friends and colleagues in such manner, treating others in similar taunting ways which leads to the widespread of negative social environment.

Social media can be used for a lot of positive purposes but the negative effects still remain. It is up to the aware user to embrace the positivity and ignore the negativity. The social media platforms have been a boon the people, it is indispensable in today’s world, but the improper use of social media has sociocultural impacts which must be addressed by the individual’s conscience while getting involved in social media. 

Shradheya Krishna Manandhar, XII, Prasadi Academy (3^rd Term English Exam Essay)

Journalism in Democracy - TRN - March 7 2025

 

Journalism in Democracy - Feb 2025

 

Journalism in Democracy

How many of you believe in free will ? A topic so simple at its early groundwork but as you go deeper into it, the intricacies of our society make it a much complex topic with historian, philosophers and great minds all of them debating over it. In simple words, free will can be explained as in the question “Are our choices actually our own choices, or the propaganda or are own choices already predetermined like the codes of a computer program ? Do we have choices in our lives?” The complexities of free will are vast, but there are many factors contributing to it which includes the information we get from the society or the mass judgment or our perceptions of the external world which we can obtain from a lot of sources but mainly news agencies.

A lot of news agencies are widespread throughout the world. They present news which interest their viewers. Tragic accidents, sports victories, political drama and many other entities are covered by news agencies. We or as it is better said, ‘the public’ gain information about the things happening around them. We curse the corruption in politics if it is covered in the news, in the same way we rejoice similar political victories or good news. Ultimately our entire perception relies on the news we are provided by the media. Our thought process it entirely reliant on what the media shares with us regardless of the factual nature, as we all have come to trust the news.

Now how does this relate to our free will ? One may ask, it certainly does! our entire choices are greatly affected by the society we live in. Advertisements in media are one strong force that can forge our beliefs and we also tend to be ignorant of its repercussions. Similarly politicians, actors, businessmen which have the media on their sides get more support from the mass. We tend to overlook their shortcomings and look only at their positive sides and follow their words and ideas, almost without giving a second thought. The media thus plays a significant role in our day to day lives. It directly or indirectly (through mass propaganda measures) determines our choices and perceptions.

The impartiality and independency of media, journalists and judiciary from the legislature of government is a must. News agencies have the obligation to provide the correct and impartial news and not manipulate the conceptions of the public. If the mass media falls in the hands of the government, the public can be made a fool of. The widespread of fake news will put the public in disarray. Bigger problems, crimes, mishaps of the government can be covered up and the public will be clueless and not even raise their voices. Hitler’s Nazi Germany spread widespread propaganda during the 1940s against the Jews and the superiority of the German race such that the millions of Germans not only supported Hitler but also managed to grow extreme hatred towards the Jewish population as a result unimaginable scale of mass genocide could be conducted.

Similarly, even in an ongoing non totalitarian regime, where democracy exists a lot of things are not openly discussed of addressed in the legislature. In such instances, news agencies have a major role in pointing out government shortcomings. They need to share things openly to the public; only then can the people have an opinion and show their argument and disagreement. This is the essence of democracy after all. A system of government where the people have accountability over the politicians, a system where questions can be raised and it is duly answered with everyone having a clear conscience rather than trying to shoot an arrow in the dark. It is thus clear that Journalism has a major and essential role in democracy.

 

Shradheya Krishna Manandhar

Grade 12, Prasadi Academy, Lalitpur

January 2025