Today’s young people are the so-called children of the internet and ultra connected generation. They grew up with the Internet at their fingertips. They master almost everything on the Internet and are always “online” on social networks that are multiplying year after year. Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, vibe, WhatsApp are in their languages.
Through social networks, young people communicate with friends, strengthen their friendships, have fun, exchange information, which is normal.
Negative influences
Nevertheless, there are considerable influences that are not well known or very often overlooked by young people. If we talk about social networks, we talk about virtual, but by using them, we end up taking these things for real. Social networks have completely changed the way young people live. They have become almost indispensable for these young people.
Social networks or the increase of intellectual laziness?
Today’s youth prefer to spend their time on social networks rather than studying. For the most part, social networks occupy all their time; they can connect to them all day long or even 24 hours a day. Children and teenagers in school (between primary and secondary school) who are very often connected to Facebook are less good at school. The use of Facebook mainly hinders concentration.
Hours wasted, scrolling endlessly, going from profile to profile, from photo to photo. Tomorrow, they will do the same thing. And the day after that too. Forgetting every time that feeling that you’ve wasted your time for nothing. As a result, less time is spent in school, and the level of education is lower.
A published photo goes around the world in the blink of an eye.
Social networks are a significant contributor to the spread of narcissism. Of course, the ideal place for young people looking to be popular with the famous “I love” button on Facebook, Instagram, twitter, etc. A sad reality, to be popular on social networks you have to expose your life with photos, the sexier the photo, the more “I love” you have. Also, a photo already published no longer belongs to you and can travel around the world and can be used without the knowledge of its owner.
A need to imitate others
The influence is all the more real as some young people see pictures of their friends smoking or drinking alcohol on Facebook or Instagram and do not hesitate to copy these condemnable facts and actions. A new generation of consumers is taking hold.
Sex is a huge issue
When young people create groups on Whatsapp, Facebook or vibe, freedom of expression is in the spotlight, no more “taboos,” customs, and traditions. Moreover, there is no new trend, virtual sex or sex in the digital age with audio, photos, and explicit sex videos. This is the perverse generation.
This is confirmed by a young person named Cherif Gueye who is himself the administrator of a group on Whatsapp that we met. He suggests that “In the group, we talk about everyone, even our sexual relations sometimes in the smallest details because our slogan is “No taboos” and all the members adhere to this vision.” He goes on to say that “Even for a sexual relationship with one of the members, it’s just a matter of letting him know. »
Sexuality is present on social networks; modesty is no longer relevant. Moreover, the word no longer exists among some young people with their naked or half-naked photos posted on their page.
What about the parents?
Of course, almost all of them do not know this dark side of social networks that influence their children to the loss of values. Some even don’t even know the term social networks. No wonder, since social networks are recent and did not exist in their time.
While some parents ignore this dangerous aspect of social networks, others are well aware of it. We were able to get the opinion of a parent who told us about this bitter observation. For this family man, “We know the influences of social networks. But the problem is that we can no longer control our children. The only thing we can do is to discuss with them and make them aware of the influences of social networks.
Besides, it should be stressed that social networks should not be a threat to young people if they make good use of them. Moreover, the definition itself tells us more.
