SINCE the evolution of humanity on our planet, the only mode of advancement for the inhabitants of this sphere has been the path of constant struggle for innovation and modernization. Moreover, it is the shared sense of self that determines the future of a nation, and this collective consciousness is shaped by socially recognized individuals. In the most highly developed civilizations in the history of the world, the most famous and widely acknowledged people were the epitome of wisdom and sagaciousness. In the contemporary age, global society has been flourishing due to its exceptionalism in all aspects of life, particularly in research and technology.
The birth of social media platforms further enabled individuals to exchange ideas and contribute value to society. One such social media platform is TikTok. This application permits users to exchange videos exhibiting their creative potential for the betterment of humanity. The unfortunate fact is that in Pakistan, this medium has largely failed to bring any significant social change. Browsing TikTok for informative and knowledgeable videos yields no results; instead, one finds content lacking moral, ethical, or intellectual value. Among all nations, Pakistan is ranked 7th in terms of TikTok usage.
The user base of TikTok in Pakistan is expanding at an astonishing rate. Pakistan has nearly 25.2 million TikTok users. Upon examining the list of top TikTok influencers in Pakistan, it becomes evident that their content lacks intellectual depth, offers minimal educational value, and primarily consists of personal promotions disguised as entertainment. What’s even more surprising is that the top influencers among them have millions of followers. The widespread appeal of TikTok in Pakistan, particularly among young individuals, despite its lack of scientific and technological significance, is a significant concern for the country. It will invite unforeseen consequences for the country.
The presence of platforms like TikTok on social media will exacerbate Pakistan’s existing educational shortcomings, leading to a decline in the youth’s drive to acquire knowledge and stay globally competitive. The sad reality is that the younger generation has become oblivious to the fact that education is crucial for success, as they have chosen to pursue social recognition and economic stability through platforms like TikTok. The arguments advocating education as the exclusive avenue for success lose strength due to the popularity of TikTok stars. With TikTok presenting solutions for economic and social gains to the young generation, what’s the incentive for them to focus on education?
This use of TikTok is counter-productive. Additionally, using this app creates an addiction that permanently alters one’s mindset unless an intentional effort is made to reprogram the brain toward constructive mental utility. Once young people start creating TikTok videos, it’s hard for them to quit using the app. Using TikTok to create attention-seeking, contentless videos is a complete waste of prime career time. As youth is the prime time of one’s life, spending the prime years using such social media apps adds no value to one’s worth. For young people, gaining social recognition on TikTok through low-value content is pointless as the future is determined by one’s intellectual growth throughout life.
Moreover, the lack of social and cultural value-promoting content in TikTok videos is truly horrifying. The main purpose of videos on social media should be to propagate our cultural values. The message in such videos should focus on spreading harmony, tolerance, and mutual co-existence. Nonetheless, TikTok videos typically lack the foundation needed for cultural and social connections, impacting young minds. TikTok provides a fast track to fame. The pursuit of social media fame has hindered the personal growth of countless young individuals. When fame is acquired without adding value, it signifies the decline of a society. The rise of TikTokers in Pakistan has captivated the younger generation. This shows how society’s intelligence has plummeted.
The country’s youth is losing its potential due to the content being shared by TikTok influencers prioritizing personal fame over personal development. The situation calls for serious introspection. The success of countries like Singapore, Denmark, Japan, and the Scandinavian states needs to be studied. Before it becomes too late, state leaders must move to contain the spread of this curse of worthless content on TikTok. It’s time to start monitoring the quality of content on TikTok, along with other social media apps. TikTok’s impact on the nation has been regressive and detrimental. Pakistan must prevent its youth from pursuing an unrewarding future. Banning people from sharing TikTok videos is unnecessary, but guidelines on content are necessary.
TikTok videos should uphold our cultural and moral foundations. The videos need to convey a message that encourages unity among the various sects in the country. Furthermore, there should be monitoring of TikTok videos to assess their societal value. The influencers need to orient themselves towards introducing modern trends in science and technology. Sharing videos on TikTok requires a full code of conduct. Decency and sophistication should be the building blocks of such videos. To maintain synchronization with our social and cultural values, TikTok’s code of conduct must include guidelines for shared content. Making positive social transitions should be the main focus for TikTok content creators.
Time is the most critical element in determining the fate of individuals and countries. Let’s reflect on whether TikTok videos are a waste of time for young people or a path to success. To ensure the well-being of future generations, it is important to utilize this platform for spreading education from school to university level. It has the potential to reshape education in Pakistan. The modern world is characterized by technology, leading to fierce competition among nations in all aspects of life. Pakistan must prevent the disorientation of its youngsters. Unfortunately, TikTok is negatively influencing the mindset of our youth, undermining the value of hard work, dedication, struggle, and commitment in life. Now is the time to intervene and make necessary changes to guide the youth in the right and rewarding direction. If not for this, the future of this generation will be determined by those nations who control technology and innovation. This will be the absolute worst scenario we can ever imagine.
—The writer is CSS Officer, based in Sargodha.
Email: waqarhassancsp@gmail.com
views expressed are writer’s own.
