Social media has become an integral part of the lives of many young people today. While it offers numerous benefits such as communication, networking, and access to information, it also has potential adverse effects on their productivity.
The platforms are designed to be addictive, often leading to excessive use and distraction. Constant notifications, likes, and comments can interrupt their focus and divert attention away from important tasks or studies.
Endless scrolling and content consumption on social media easily lead to procrastination. Rather than engaging in productive activities or assignments, young people spend excessive time on social media, resulting in delayed or incomplete work.
The constant exposure to short, fragmented content on social media affects concentration levels. Young people struggle to sustain their attention span on longer tasks or academic assignments.
Social media can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among young people. Constant exposure to carefully curated posts and images of others’ seemingly perfect lives creates unrealistic expectations and negatively impacts their confidence and motivation.
The use of social media late at night disrupts sleep patterns, leading to tiredness and reduced productivity the following day. The blue light emitted by screens interferes with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
Social media platforms are a breeding ground for cyberbullying, harassment, and negative interactions. Such experiences cause emotional distress and anxiety, affecting the overall well-being and productivity of young people.
The Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, has expressed concern over the adverse effects of social media on the productivity of the youth.
He pointed out that social media platforms significantly distract young individuals, leading them to spend considerable time on unproductive discussions.
“Social media, especially TikTok, has rendered most youth idle, as they devote much time there instead of using the time productively. Use your social media profitably; use it to learn new skills and search for valuable information instead of following unnecessary trends online.”
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle
Young people need to practice responsible social media usage to mitigate these adverse effects. Setting limits on screen time, using productivity apps or website blockers, and creating a conducive study environment helps maintain focus and productivity.
Additionally, fostering a healthy balance between online and offline activities, encouraging regular breaks, and promoting open communication about online experiences contribute to a more positive and productive use of social media.
Rev. Fordjour Encourages The Youth
While it is true that everyone has some form of talent or potential, it’s important to recognize that talents vary greatly from person to person.
Some individuals have more obvious or developed talents in certain areas, such as music, sports, or art, while others have talents that are less easily identifiable or require more exploration to discover.
It’s also worth noting that talent alone does not guarantee success or fulfillment in life. Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are often equally important factors in achieving one’s goals and aspirations.
Deputy Minister of Education and MP for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour encouraged the youth to follow paths that will enrich their lives and positively impact society.
“Create your opportunities and make them lucrative for others to benefit from. No man is talentless.”
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour
The ongoing debate regarding the impact of social media on individuals persists, with various stakeholders advocating for strategies to counteract its negative effects.
In related news, TikTok has become a significant force in the realm of short-form video, boasting a user base of 170 million in the US.
Accordingly, President Joe Biden enacted a new law that puts the future of TikTok, a popular video-streaming application, under threat in the United States.
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