Let's sensitise our youth about the increasingly fake life on social media

The new normal is that we learn about all breaking news, both real and fake, from social media. This is courtesy of "citizen journalism", where everyone believes they can share anything online. Phenomenally, many people continue finding spouses and jobs by uploading their profiles and CVs on Facebook, TikTok, X, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and other platforms. The same spaces can even appropriately start or end relationships without the lovers ever meeting face to face. This brings me to a real online danger facing our youth. We must safeguard them from the vagaries of social media. While we may not have the technology to block certain platforms, honest conversations about fake online lives are essential. Anything that sensitises them to the lies marketed online is better than burying our heads in the sand. This responsibility falls on all child minders, especially teachers and parents. Our children need to know that social media expressions of emotion are often lies. Much of it is acted, edited and rehearsed, particularly on reels and short videos. Like the card-making industry, there are countless pre-made stickers, posters and icons with messages for every occasion. This puzzling genre of handy messages, oversimplifies everything from greetings, get well wishes to personal inclination such as smoking cannabis and joining shady cults and clubs. With no creative effort required, learners may fall into the temptation of sharing these online placards to match the day's mood. Social media sags with gibberish, much of it stamped with profanity, photo-shopped images, sleazy chats and links to unsuitable sites that collectively lower moral standards. We must also make learners aware that some social media users increasingly brand themselves as ethnic crusaders, posting nasty remarks in vernacular. This alienates friends who do not speak the same language and leads young people down a dangerous path. The internet does not forget; long after they leave school, such posts may resurface and damage their careers and social standing. There are also online complainers who insist that nothing works in this country or in their relationships. Young as they are, learners must avoid such negativity. Persistent pessimism signals personality challenges in real life. As in face-to-face interactions, people quickly learn to avoid perennial complainers online. Yet social media can also offer advice, inspiration and wisdom. There are treasure troves of useful learning material on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook that can enrich curriculum content. With careful curation, teachers and parents can direct learners to such accounts. For young learners in primary school, platforms such as educational YouTube channels are helpful. Teacher-moderated groups on Facebook and TikTok can also support Curriculum-Based Education by fostering communication and collaborative learning.For older learners, YouTube and Google Classroom provide integrated learning environments. Blogs nurture storytelling and essay writing, while WhatsApp enables quick communication and effective group work. To stay safe online, learners must protect personal information. They should think before posting and report all forms of cyberbullying to a responsible adult who can escalate the matter to the relevant authorities. The writer teaches English and Literature at St. Charles Lwanga High School in Thika. ggmwangi79@gmail.com

Let's sensitise our youth about the increasingly fake life on social media

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