- One of the most significant innovations of the 20th century must be the advent of the information technology-driven initiatives that have completely revolutionized the universe with their mind-boggling applications. IT has made such an impression on humanity in the last couple of decades that it is unimaginable how innovations like the Internet of Things, IT-enabled Services, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence have ushered in such an array of user-friendly solutions. Little wonder that humanity has embraced these technological marvels with absolute delight reveling in the hitherto unknown experience available on their hands. Apart from knowledge, the entertainment quotient offered by the medium is unparalleled.
PC: Medium
- We are aware of how social media platforms have mushroomed over the last decade or so leading to innumerable platforms offering unlimited entertainment of diverse nature. This is made possible courtesy of information technology-driven measures. As is the case with any invention, social media platforms are especially turning into an addiction for gullible teenagers and adolescents. Indeed, any addiction is injurious to health. Government warnings can’t cure kids’ social media addiction. That’s a job for mums & dads. In an interesting move, the US surgeon general’s call for a warning label on social media platforms is an idea that can spread globally. He said that they are dangerous for the mental health of teenagers. The majority would agree.
- The surgeon general argues teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as much at risk of facing anxiety and depression symptoms. He wants the warning labels done along the lines of action against tobacco use in the US decades ago. But can governments influence individual behavior beyond a point? Since 2010, rates of anxiety and depression have gone up sharply for teens in many countries. This is also the period that saw smartphones take center stage in our lives. Research on what too much social media use does to teens does not throw up definitive answers. He argues that waiting for perfect information could have serious consequences. The EU has taken steps to try and check the power of social media platforms.
PC: CNN
- Yet, a warning label would only start the conversation. Anti-tobacco labeling has been around for years. But in more than a few countries, smoking is down but far from out. At 26.5%, the Southeast Asian region has the highest percentage of the population using tobacco: the more developed European region is not far behind at 25.3%. Perhaps, warnings will make social media platforms more careful when planning their marketing techniques. Ideally, they should also spend more resources insulating themselves from toxic content. But they probably won’t. Ultimately, ensuring warning labels are heeded is squarely the responsibility of parents and other responsible adults. Parents should first limit their social media use, at least in children’s presence.
