Youth Body worried over Social Media Abuse

By: Lackson Kanyoza

Online social media have gained astounding worldwide growth and popularity which has led to attracting attention from variety of researchers globally.

Although with time all generations have come to embrace the changes social network has brought about, teenagers and young adults are the most fanatic users of these sites.

According to various research studies in the field of online social networks, it has been revealed that these sites are impacting the lives of the youth greatly.

While Youth are enjoying the fruits of social networks like Facebook, Tweeter, Instagram, WhatsApp and other networks, Youth in the country have been advised to use the social media on meaningful issues that can bring change in their lives.

This advise comes as the social media today has been a washed with a lot of traumatizing stories.

However, country coordinator for Organization of African Youth (OAY) Moses Busha has noted that a lot of youth in the country are using the social media on baseless issues.

“Its a clear fact that social media has become their lifestyle and it makes their lives easier and efficient. It is also sad that a lot of youth doesn’t know that social networks are platform where they can get a lot of opportunity. They spent hours on useless things, cyber bullying, insulting each with the use of obscene languages commenting on baseless things. Posting images of dead people even spreading false death rumours of renowned people like musicians which is a bad image,” explained Busha.

He then urged youth in the country to take example of foreign youth who are benefit a lot by pursuing schools and creating jobs among others.

” its now time for our youth to jack up. Let’s take example of other friends outside the country who have get opportunities using social networks. Others have acquired degrees on internet while others get employment on the the other end. It’s great for professionals for marketing,
connecting, and finding business
opportunities. Let’s avoid ourselves spending a lot of time on this sites doing useless things, “he said.

Andrew Keen is well-known for his opposition to social networking.  But he believes that the internet needs to be more “habitable” for users.

In many cases it is clear that social media have become not only part of people’s lives
but the things their lives revolve around. It’s important yet difficult to retain the attitude that these sites may be useful, but that’s all they are—tools, not lifestyles.