GENERATION ILLITERATE? –
July 4, 2024 – I am writing this in light of U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s op-ed in The New York Times and the recent article published about that op-ed by ABC News. Many current youngsters are struggling to express their thoughts and beliefs in a coherent way, to problem solve, to interact with others, etc. It is feasible that these apps were designed to deliberately stress or take advantage of users.
I am deeply concerned about the issue of social media addiction among young people. I strongly believe that while these platforms are useful at times, they are contributing to poor mental health among teenagers, including depression and suicidal ideation. In addition, they are compromising social and communication skills and leading to the young generation’s inability to remain focused for a significant time length.
Furthermore, many current youngsters are struggling to express their thoughts and beliefs in a coherent way, to problem solve, to interact with others, etc. It is feasible that these apps were not designed to deliberately stress or take advantage of users.
have yet to watch “The Social Dilemma,” which might prove me wrong. It is up for debate whether the public or corporations have more fault in this. Yet, considering my own upbringing, I strongly believe that learning media literacy, stress management techniques, different communication styles for different social situations and the importance of unplugging regularly would do today’s adolescents and younger adults a world of good.
