IF we watch videos on different social media platforms, we often see that many videos have content that doesn’t have a purpose other than being entertaining. A lot of young people are into this and social media has become the quickest way to make money and become famous. It shows what our young people care about the most. It seems like the love for learning and wisdom is fading in our country. The younger generation has the power to change the direction of the country, but that can only happen if they understand how important knowledge is in today’s world. What would be the repercussions of videos that contain no substance on the societal, political and economic progress of the nation in a few years? It would be disastrous, indeed.
As the global landscape advances in innovation, technology and scientific breakthroughs, our young generation is heavily engrossed in creating content of little value solely for the sake of gaining fame and wealth. This utilization of social media is poised to have extensive implications in the future. The primary impact is likely to be on the cultural values adopted by our successive generations. Throughout the history of our world, the fundamental aspect crucial for the survival of civilizations has been their ability to uphold their culture and heritage. The content found on platforms like TikTok and similar social media apps scarcely contributes to the preservation of our cultural and societal values. These videos have been a catalyst for a complete reshaping of the mindsets within our young demographic, causing a gradual fading of our cultural values.
Furthermore, such videos usually lack intellectual depth. Creating content is not inherently negative, but it would be more beneficial if the content generated held intrinsic value. The consequences of disseminating such types of videos among the youth are beyond imagination. It renders our young minds intellectually inert and erodes their capacity for critical thinking. Additionally, it conveys a message to forsake educational pursuits and embrace a path that supposedly imparts social value. What’s more troubling is that the social worth that one gains by making videos that have no meaningful lesson is only embraced in our society, where people seem to enjoy videos devoid of any added value. If you were to ask TikTok stars to venture globally, they would likely find little recognition. This is because the world respects those who bring about real transformation through meaningful contributions, whereas the content on social media in Pakistan often lacks substance.
Thirdly, these videos convey a clear message to our younger generation that investing in education offers no benefit compared to the potential earnings from creating social media content. This could result in producing mindsets with a lack of sound judgment on real-world issues and a dearth of understanding regarding global matters hindering our nation’s ability to compete in the contemporary world. Furthermore, this emerging trend could lead our society to become heavily reliant on the West for all forms of innovative and technological advancements. The repercussions of failing to nurture mindsets capable of innovating in science and technology could be disastrous for the economic and social fabric of our country.
Lastly, modern conflicts are battles of intellect. Nations worldwide are investing in their human resources, enhancing the capabilities of their people to excel in all sectors for economic, social and political advantages. Will such a utilization of social media result in the development of individuals capable of leading the country in the arena of innovative ideas? Witnessing the current trend of videos on social media begs the question that will we thrive in the global battles of intellect and wisdom? Will we construct a society resilient to the influences of global propaganda targeting vulnerable nations?
A nation lacking intellectual depth is inevitably reliant on other nations for its sustenance. We appear to be on a path leading to a calamity and unfortunately, only a few sections of society can comprehend the repercussions of this trajectory. What is even more lamentable is that we have chosen this as our destiny. Instead of conveying to our youths that education is the sole pathway to enduring glory, we have been showcasing a route with no future in this technologically-driven world. Immediate measures are imperative to halt this trend on social media. The videos circulated on social platforms should impart lessons of wisdom and emphasize the importance of modern education. While creating videos on TikTok is acceptable, they should mirror our genuine cultural values. Furthermore, the content should convey moral and ethical lessons, ensuring that it contributes positively to the social narrative.
The content on social media should not undermine our authentic family values; rather, it should propagate the genuine family values that define us. We should elevate individuals who have excelled in the realm of education as our influencers on social media. Therefore, implementing regulations to guide content creators toward producing valuable and worthwhile content is crucial. Paradoxically, these videos amass popularity because the majority have forsaken their inclination to acquire knowledge, both for personal enrichment and collective betterment. This shift has compelled individuals to embrace a route devoid of any illustrious destination.
Our history is a treasure trove. Why not create videos that narrate the struggles of our forebears in attaining independence? Why not produce content that embodies the teachings of our national poet? Why not use videos to propagate the wisdom imparted by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and focus on the principles advocated by Quaid-i-Azam? The proliferation of meaningless content on social media is rapidly eroding the foundations of our authentic history. It is imperative to take stringent action against such frivolous videos, as this concerns our future and our standing in the global arena. Building a society rich in intellect is a collective responsibility. The key to achieving this objective is instilling in our youths the belief that true glory lies in the ability to catalyze transformation in the realms of technology, politics and society. Now is the moment to treat this matter seriously, lest the scourge of meaningless content diverts us from the path of prosperity and glory.
—The writer is CSS Officer, based in Sargodha.
Email: waqarhassancsp@gmail.com
views expressed are writer’s own.
