Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran revealed a worrying trend that must be dealt with urgently. Many of our young people are struggling with brokenness, she said.
And in addition to the temptation of drugs and addiction to gadgets, young girls are struggling with online image sharing, extortion and teenage pregnancies.
The world we live in today is quite different from what it was even a decade ago.
The digital age, once hailed for its promise of innovation and connectivity, is now moving at a pace that is reshaping how we live, how we think, act, and how we relate to one another.
At the heart of this transformation is the evolving digital platform, a space where every action, thought, and image can be shared instantly, placing lives in the public domain with little reflection and even less accountability.
Let’s face it, social media has become the new mirror of society. It influences trends, behaviours, and identities.
Ms Kiran spoke about what she is seeing across communities, particularly in the Western Division.
“We have never seen this level of brokenness.”
This is a powerful statement! We wonder whether this is an issue tied to the way the digital space is infiltrating our homes and minds.
Digital platforms offer many advantages, from connection, creativity, and access to knowledge. But what is being uploaded, shared, and glorified also reveals a darker undercurrent.
There is addiction to validation, pressure to conform to trending ideals, and exploitation of vulnerability.
Ms Kiran pointed to young girls being lured into dangerous situations involving online image sharing, extortion, and teenage pregnancies.
At the core of this crisis may be the issue of influence.
Then there is the issue of who is doing the influencing.
Are young people turning to social media for identity, purpose, and validation? Algorithms manipulate attention! And in this race for likes and relevance, values are often impacted badly.
The role of parents and guardians is critical.
Ms Kiran rightly stressed that many of these vulnerable youths come from broken families. And it is precisely within the home where the greatest opportunity and responsibility lies. The internet should not be left to raise our children. Let’s be more actively involved, aware, and engaged in what our children are consuming and contributing online. Let’s talk about support, education, and open conversations.
Is there a connection between the rise in social media influence and the brokenness among our youth? Maybe! When family structures collapse, when guidance is absent, and when screens replace human connection, are young people turning to what is available, even if that is often superficial, harmful, and misleading?
As parents and guardians, we should reclaim our space as mentors and moral anchors.
We should be setting boundaries for digital use, encouraging meaningful offline activities, and modelling the values we want our children to carry.
Ms Kiran’s call to action is not just for Government or organisations.
Maybe we should be thinking outside the box, and considering things like camps, weekend programs, mentorship, and shared service projects to reconnect with our youth. Maybe we should be considering issues like placing value on character, resilience, and contribution.
Our young are facing major challenges. We must raise up for them!