Who’s Really Polluting Social Media?
Dr Ikramullah
Bajaur: In today’s world, social media has become a powerful platform for information, for expressing opinions and for showcasing creativity. It connects people from all corners of the world, enabling them to communicate and share ideas at a scale never seen before.
However, while this tool holds incredible potential, its use in society often leans toward negative outcomes. In many cases, this platform is being misused, turning into a breeding ground for hate, falsehoods and shallow content.
Many believe that the vulgarity, indecency and self-glorification found on social media come mainly from uneducated youth. This belief persists because it’s easier to blame those who are perceived as lacking formal education for the chaos online. However, the reality is far more bitter and complicated and it’s extremely important that we take a deeper look at who really is contributing to this growing problem?
Whenever we witness insulting comments, immoral posts, gossip or useless content on social media, we often immediately blame the uneducated segment of youth. It is commonly assumed in our society that those who never went to school, college, university or least educated are the ones spreading negativity on these platforms. The idea is that these young people lack the necessary exposure to understand the implications of their actions online.
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However, when we look a bit deeper, a completely different and more dangerous picture comes to light. The truth is that a noteworthy amount of irresponsible, shallow and harmful content on social media is actually created by young people who have earned degrees from educational institutions but have learned little about the true responsibilities of being a part of society.
These are the so-called “educated” youth, they are technologically adept, understand the latest gadgets and apps and are highly connected. However, when it comes to ethics, empathy and respect for others, they fall short. Their videos, posts, and comments often spread bad taste, hatred and negativity. They engage in online trolling, cyberbullying and sometimes even encourage harmful behaviors, all in the name of being “cool” or seeking attention. Instead of using their knowledge to uplift others, they use it to exploit and degrade.
On the other hand, uneducated youth may not be as active on social media as they don’t know how to use it, but the way they live their lives presents another troubling issue. Without proper education or guidance, they often wander aimlessly in the streets, looking for excitement in the wrong places.
For the sole purpose of amusement or fun, they race motorcycles through congested streets, create noise, and act recklessly. Even while they may not always do direct harm to others, their actions have a big effect on their own life. They lack direction, a defined purpose, future objectives, and a meaningful way to spend their time.
They are not supported by mentors or role models who could guide them in the right path. Many of these young people thus experience disillusionment, feeling lost and cut off from the outside world. Without proper training or employment opportunities, they end up wasting precious years of their lives on meaningless activities that lead nowhere.
It seems both groups, the educated and the uneducated are sailing in the same boat; a lack of purpose, a waste of time, and a loss of moral values.
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Both groups are caught in a cycle of fruitless habits, but the difference lies in how these habits manifest. One group misuses the power of technology to spread negativity and division, while the other wastes their energy in physical distractions and aimless pursuits. In both cases, the fundamental issue is the same and that is lack of meaningful direction.
Educated young people have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to make the world better. But many of them use their skills for useless or selfish things that don’t help anyone. On the other hand, uneducated young people don’t have the basic things they need to grow and succeed. They are left to struggle on their own, often in ways that hurt them instead of helping them.
It’s time we stop treating this issue like a joke or an insignificant matter. We must seriously think about how to guide our youth toward a better path, where they can contribute to society and fulfill their potential. This should not just be the responsibility of parents or teachers; it is something that requires collective effort from society, governments, and communities.
The educated youth should take responsibility for their platforms and their power. They must use their knowledge and awareness for positive purposes, creating content that educates, inspires, and brings people together instead of dividing them. They should learn to embrace empathy, respect, and kindness both online and offline.
The uneducated youth need support and guidance. We must offer them opportunities for learning, personal development and employment, so they can move away from a purposeless life towards something more meaningful. Training, mentorship and exposure to different ways of thinking can help them overcome the barriers of ignorance and become contributing members of society.
Society as a whole must stop pointing fingers and start offering solutions. It’s easy to blame others, but we all share responsibility in shaping the future of our youth. We must create environments where both educated and uneducated youth can grow and thrive.
May God have mercy on us all. We are not truly different from one another; only our circumstances and opportunities vary. The educated youth and the uneducated youth are both struggling in their own ways, and it is up to us as a society to help them find their way.
The writer is a government servant in KP’s Tribal Region, serving in a capacity that likely involves administration or governance within the region.
