Category: Society

When it comes to the dangers of social media, cyberbullying and sexual predators get the most attention. However, digital freedom has many more subtle or hidden dangers that are influencing a whole generation of teenagers as they grow into young adults.

With 89% of teenagers owning a smartphone and 70% using social media multiple times daily, these digital threats affect celebrities. Indeed, 38% of young people reported that social media has a negative impact on their self-esteem.

The Advantages Of Social Media

Teens can use social media to create online identities, communicate with others, and build social networks. These networks can provide valuable support to teens, particularly those who are excluded or have disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Teens use social media for entertainment as well as self-expression. Furthermore, the platforms can expose teenagers to current events, allow them to interact across geographic boundaries, and teach them about a variety of topics, including healthy behaviors. Teens may benefit from social media that is amusing or distracting, or that provides a meaningful connection to peers and a large social network.

Why Should You Be Concerned? Contextualizing Digital Freedom To Youth

Did you know that over 210 million people worldwide are addicted to social media and the internet? While you may wish to blame your adolescent for lacking self-control, it’s essential to understand what they’re up against. Thousands of Ph.D.-level researchers are working on social media platforms to determine what level of digital freedom is appropriate for the youth. The platform earns more money the more time your teen spends on social media.

Social Media’s Immediate Dangers

Here are some of the potential risks that your teen may face while using various social media channels:

1. Inappropriate, upsetting, or adult-themed content exposure

Of course, you don’t want your adolescent exposed to adult-themed or pornographic content. The danger of social media is that this material can be sent to your child by strangers or trusted sources. Even if your child’s social networking sites are restricted to known friends or their profiles are set to private, they may still be at risk.

2. Teenagers with dubious judgment

In teenagers, the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for good judgment) is still not fully developed. Poor judgment combined with easy access to a global audience can lead to some terrifying scenarios

3. Oversharing in inappropriate and dangerous ways

Even being emotionally vulnerable with the wrong person can have disastrous consequences for someone who suffers from low self-esteem or depression. We lose control of the information we share on the internet.

4. Cyberbullying

59% of US teens have been bullied or harassed online, with Instagram being the most popular platform for bullying. In addition, one in every five young people has skipped school due to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has been linked to teen depression and can even lead to increased vulnerability and depression later in life.

5. Constantly comparing their relationships to all the “ideal” relationships

Teens seeing online can lead to a distorted understanding of what relationships are supposed to be like. Relationships are messy, complicated, and often boring.

Social media can be beneficial. It allows your teen to stay in touch with friends while boosting self-esteem if used correctly. However, there are risks associated with social media. A certain level of digital freedom must be observed, which you should discuss with your child. Make sure that social media is a tool that your family uses, not one that your family uses.

A decade ago, our most advanced game was a ball bouncing between two sticks. Today, gaming is a leading industry with new developments almost every other day. In the mid-2000s, gaming services focused on increasing player retention. They wanted players to be engaged even when they have cleared levels. That’s how ‘Live Service Games’ were created. 

What is Live Service Gaming?

Live service games are unique kinds of video games made to keep players interested and playing for as long as possible. This means that companies develop a game they can upgrade for years to come rather than creating one game and moving on to the next.

DOTA 2, Valorant, and Fortnite are examples of such live service games. They are constantly upgraded with new stages and worlds for high engagement. The player will constantly be introduced to new worlds, tasks, and obstacles to tackle. 

Keeping games going for longer instead of ending them and transitioning to a sequel is swiftly becoming the norm instead of the exception. With brief titles, constant updates allow games to be in the public eye for longer. Resulting in catching the attention of existing and potential players. 

How Do They Profit?

Live Service Games don’t require an initial cost of cash and instead generate their revenue via subscriptions or in-game purchases. It has been shown that Games as a Service keeps players more interested for a longer period and enables video games to be monetized even after they are published. 

People often keep YouTube live streams while playing these games. The streaming game community is strong with thousands of users watching and streaming online games. 

Live service games are quite a controversial topic because game developers have been charged with utilizing deceptive tactics to get players to spend money. Some have even compared the use of loot boxes to gambling.

Choosing a career is a crucial decision in an individual’s life. In hopes of finding a clear picture, people often turn to elders for advice, especially parents. But do these advices always remain advices or turn into parental pressure, directly or indirectly?

Growing up, we go to our parents for every difficulty, big or small. In a kid’s eyes, their parents have the solution to everything. We look up to them as guides, their opinion is the game-changer in any case. 

With time, as our minds grow and develop a unique mindset, self-opinions start to generate. We look at the world through our lens instead of grown-ups’. This is when every decision should appeal to you with no other opinion clashing. 

Both of these instances are part of two different parts of life where both parties, parents and young adults, want nothing but the best. The difference is between mindset and compliance. 

Is There a Right or Wrong In This?

This is a matter where we can’t color in as good or bad, right or wrong. This lands in the little gray area in between. Parents want what is best for their children. For them to not make the same mistakes they once made. On the other hand, budding adults want their life to be the way they approach them with decisions and steps of their own. This results in a clash of ideas where parents see it as guidance, and students as parental pressure. 

Looking At It Through Numbers

A recent Joblist survey looks at how much parental impact there is on academic and job decisions. Focused on Gen-X, Millennial, and Gen-Z people who are already in the workforce. And to put it simply, this influence is profound. The majority of respondents (65%) work in a profession that was their parents’ choice. 

• 48% of people felt that their parents strongly influenced their career path. While 40% felt pressured to follow their parents’ career advice.
• More than half of people felt that their parents forced them to go to college. (48% of Gen X, 57.6% of Millennials, and 57% of Gen Z).
• 2 in 3 parents said they felt disappointed that their child did not follow their desired career.

Exchanging Ideas and Not Preaching Decisions

The decision to pursue a career should not be a last-minute addition to high school. It’s a crucial aspect of the self-discovery that kids must go through as they grow up. Academic and career decisions have an impact on the rest of their lives. Having the experience to talk about, parents initiate the talk with their children young.

What sometimes happens is parents projecting their mindset onto the minds of young adults. The discussion which started as an exchange of ideas and experiences turns into parental pressure. Making the kids feel like they are being led in a particular direction by their parents. 

According to the Joblist study, this influence translates itself into pressure as reported by 40% of the respondents. Parents need to be conscious of the effects they have. Both positive and negative, based on the values they instill in them. For instance, Parents instill the value of higher marks as a measure of success in students. Preventing them from selecting an art degree over a traditional professional path like law or medicine. Meanwhile, A child with more accepting parents may feel freer to explore various professions without parental pressure.

When parents preach about these notions and career paths, it is based on what they know and what they experience. According to them, this is the way things were and how they are. Sometimes their ties with the outer world are existent but limited. They intentionally or unintentionally consider one path the way to go. Resulting in parental pressure.  There can be a drastic difference between what parents encourage and what a child wants. 

“Since parents generally live with the child during the formative years, they tend to exert a relatively strong influence on how their children make career decisions,” says Daniele Clarke, a registered psychologist.

 “While most parents report having little to no influence on their children’s careers, research shows that children have a different perception stating that their parents played a significant role in their career choices.”

Parental Pressure and Mental Health

Due to the build-up pressure over the years, students have a constant fear of pressure (parental and societal). Students experience anxiety as a result of parental pressure to perform well throughout their academic careers. In certain cases, this anxiety can result in eating disorders, depression, and even something worse. 

The unlikely art of parental pressure results in these young and confused minds not having someone to go to. Someone who would give them an honest unbiased opinion without any additions of their own. To tell them things the way they are with possibilities and consequences. 

But at the same time, Students should not feel ignored or neglected. Their choices and opinions should not go undisclosed. As they can gather an image of their parents being uninterested or not caring enough about the future. There is again a gray area where there is a balance between indulgence and healthy communication. 

A Simple and Healthy Conversation

To start a conversation, “What do you love to do?” and  What do you do well?” are two points to focus on. It can be tempting as a parent to respond to your child’s queries because, after all, who knows them better than you do?

By asking questions and then paying close attention to the replies, you may boost their voice in the career decision. As compared to a lecture, a meaningful career talk is a conversation. The reality is, that everyone should feel satisfied and proud of the career they want to pursue.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. An estimated 703,000 people lose their lives due to suicide. September is “Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.” Directly connected with someone’s mental health and condition, this cause of death even though is leading, is somehow taboo to be discussed and processed. 

Every suicidal death is a public health issue that has a significant effect on the people in the community. We can lower the number of suicides worldwide by increasing knowledge, removing the stigma associated with it, and promoting informed action.

As members of society, as children, as parents, as friends, as coworkers, or just as human beings, we can all contribute to helping those who are in a suicidal crisis or who have lost a loved one to suicide. We can all spread awareness of the problem, help those who are in need, and share our personal experiences. Through our actions, we may all spread hope and shine a light.

Resources and Ways to Help

The theme for this year is “Creating hope through action.” The slogan supports and encourages the creation of an environment of hope and positivity not just by words, but by actions. Not just by posting uplifting quotes online, but also to check up on our near and dear. To make sure they are doing fine and if they need help. 

WHO has a unique “LIVE LIFE” approach for suicide prevention. There are four strategies- 

• Restricting easy availability of hazardous substances which can act as means of suicide
• Educating media about reporting suicide.
• Educating the public about recognizing and correct ways of helping individuals.
• Early identification of suspicious or concerning behavior, handling and approach to said behavior, and usage of resources and helplines to further prevent the issue. 

If you or someone you know have been having a hard time in life, it is important to know that you are not alone and are loved. Asking for help is always the best option.

“Literacy is the jump-off point from which all of life’s successes take flight.” Literacy is the vehicle that will take us to a world sustainable, healthy, and prosperous in more ways than one. Education or Literacy isn’t a luxury or a choice, but a right and a responsibility. A right every individual has and should have access to. International Literacy Day falls on September 8 of every year intending to promote awareness and resources so that education reaches each corner of the world.

The theme for International Literacy Day 2022 will focus on “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”. The theme allows everyone to rethink the fundamental importance of literacy learning spaces to build resilience and ensure quality, equitable and inclusive education for all.

Why is International Literacy Day Celebrated?

The world observes International Literacy Day on the 8th of September every year to encourage literacy and educate people about their rights to social and personal development. To eliminate poverty, reduce child mortality, manage population growth, and achieve gender equality, literacy is a crucial instrument. This day is observed to motivate people to pursue ongoing education. UNESCO has been at the top of the list regarding promoting global literacy in general and International Literacy Day.

According to statistics from UNESCO, at least 773 million adults worldwide lack basic literary skills. When education rights and literacy are discussed, people often are more focused on children. While children’s education is important for us, Adult education is equally as important. Adults who in their growing years couldn’t have access to literacy, today are unable to earn their living due to a lack of skills.

Literacy and Education reaching such individuals helps reduce unemployment and motivates them to be contributing members of society.

History

On 26th October 1966, UNESCO declared 8th September as International Literacy Day after the World Conference of Ministers of Education on eradicating illiteracy in Tehran in 1965. The main focus of observing this day is to combat illiteracy and to empower individuals who wish to have access to education.

Literacy is one of the critical components of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Literacy is a necessary tool to raise family status, both not just academically but also financially. If even half the members of an average family are educated, they can avail various opportunities and stand their feet strong in supporting their family.

International Literacy Day is promoted by UNESCO in partnership with governments, communities, and other organizations. It strives to highlight the importance of literacy and skill development in the context of a changing world through themes and several programs.

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy was established in 2005 with the support from the People’s Republic of China which considers functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth. The prize winners receive a medal, diploma, and $30000.

What is Different About 2022?

As the world went through a Global Pandemic, it has changed in many ways, including education and the ways we look at it. With multiple individuals losing jobs and companies being closed, several people lost their access to education due to financial problems. This situation stayed the same even after the world started moving again.

With funds and budgets being further divided to help in vaccinations and other aids, the budget allocation to education has decreased drastically around the world.

The theme “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces” encourages people to respect and work on every learning space and makes them approachable, attainable, and absorbable for all.

Playing Your Part

While we live a well-privileged life with amenities and resources for education, income, and necessities, some people can’t even afford to dream about these things. The kids of your housekeeping staff, the guy who works at that electricity repair shop, the children living on the streets. Every one of these people deserves an education to improve their life.

Here are some ways you can give back to society this International Literacy Day:

• Tutor a child

For kids who wish to enhance their skills to catch up to their proper grade level in reading, the support of a tutor who offers one-on-one attention is a game changer.

One of the best ways to have a long-lasting effect on a local student is to tutor them one hour a week throughout the academic year, but volunteering for one day is also a fantastic place to start. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, several institutions and organizations are providing online tutoring opportunities this year.

• Starting a Book Club

Combining multiple books donated or borrowed from members, collectively reading and discussing books can help encourage skills like better vocabulary and in-depth knowledge of concepts.

• Volunteer Work

Several organizations and NGOs work toward the cause of promoting literacy by going to rural schools and other locations where they can promote literacy and teach the basics to the ones who wish to improve.

In the words of Coretta Scott King:

“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”