“Every day, the media and social communication platforms tend to highlight not the best of our youth but, unfortunately, the worst,” expressed principal of the Lodge School, Stephen Jackman, in a recent address. He went on to say that his generation cannot change the impression of young people today. This is where our views on the media portrayal of young people diverge. As a member of the generation that witnessed the birth of social media, I believe it is our responsibility to influence a more positive and accurate representation.
Nationally recognised journalist Stetson Babb also shared his perspective on the surge of negative stories and images circulating on social media. In a personal Facebook post, he recalled the school fights and bus stand brawls of his youth, noting that while such incidents were not uncommon, the difference was that there were no cell phones capturing every moment. Today, we live in a time where many feel compelled to document every aspect of their lives, often with little regard for the impact of sharing even the most intimate or negative details online.
The transition to an information age fuelled by global communication technologies is at the heart of the issue Principal Jackman raised. However, it’s far more complex than simply posting images or videos on social platforms.
According to an online journal published by the US National Institute of Health and Human Services, with the rapid spread of digitalisation worldwide, more people, especially younger children, are spending an increasing number of hours online, reading from computer, tablet, and smartphone screens. Multiple studies suggest that this growing habit can result in significant health risks, such as early obesity, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, all of which can trigger antisocial behaviour. While I am not suggesting this is an excuse for negative behaviour, we, as a society, have a collective responsibility to guide the next generation towards building a healthier, more positive society.
Additionally, a 2018 Harvard University study on Social Media and Dopamine revealed that self-disclosure on social media activates the same dopamine pathways as eating food, receiving money, or even using drugs. The ‘likes’ and positive feedback act as rewards, reinforcing the urge to keep posting. This explains why many young people are drawn to sharing videos, even those depicting fights or intimate acts, as they generate a dopamine-driven sense of gratification.
In essence, social media activates the brain’s reward centre by releasing dopamine, which is directly linked to pleasurable activities.
At the same time, we’re witnessing a marked decline in academic performance, particularly in CXC grades for subjects like mathematics. Extended exposure to social media has been shown to impact attention spans, as platforms like TikTok—popular among the 13 to 18 age group—promote quick, easily digestible content. With the average TikTok video lasting less than two minutes, this constant barrage of fast-paced content trains the brain to crave quick stimulation, making it increasingly challenging for young people to sit through a 30-minute class focusing on a single subject. In that same period, they would typically consume hundreds of different topics online.
Additionally, the constant switching between apps and notifications encourages multitasking, reducing the ability to concentrate deeply on any single task, which ultimately leads to a fragmented attention span over time.
But what can be done right now? As the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Instead of resisting social media, we must leverage its power to guide our youth toward healthier engagement.
1. Promote Positive Role Models: Encourage the sharing of content that highlights young people excelling in academics, sports, the arts, and community service. By showcasing positive achievements, we can counterbalance negativity and provide examples worth emulating. This is where traditional news outlets can play their part by inviting young people to share positive examples of others contributing to their communities.
2. Digital Literacy Education: Integrate digital literacy, with a strong social media component, into school curriculums, teaching young people how to critically evaluate what they see online. Understanding the effects of social media on their mental health and learning how to manage their online presence—especially their digital footprint—can empower them to make more informed choices.
3. Champion Positive Reinforcement: In the same way that dopamine-driven rewards encourage negative behaviours online, we can encourage platforms, schools, and families to recognise and celebrate positive actions, contributions, and posts. Young people need to see that kindness, empathy, and effort are equally acknowledged and rewarded.
While Mr Jackman has lamented the negative behaviours of some of our youth, it’s crucial to recognise that such actions don’t arise in a vacuum. By adopting a more proactive approach and using social media as a tool for empowerment—rather than allowing it to dictate how history records our young people—we can help shape a more constructive and positive digital landscape. It’s not about overcoming the influence of social media; it’s about harnessing its potential to inspire and uplift the next generation.
Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government’s Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). Steven can be reached at: Mobile: 246-233-0090; Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb
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