Social Media: A Two-Sided Coin for Youth Empowerment and Education

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In today’s digital age, social media has revolutionized how we communicate, create, and consume content.

For many Nigerian youths, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are no longer just spaces for entertainment; they have become opportunities to earn a living. While this shift has provided financial independence and a means to support education, it has also exposed a darker side, especially for students.

Social media content creation has opened doors for countless young Nigerians. Through live sessions, brand partnerships, and engaging content, these platforms offer income streams that were unimaginable just a decade ago. 

Youths as young as 17 can now support themselves or even their families by leveraging their creativity online. This is particularly significant in a country where financial aid for students is limited and many must fund their education themselves.

The monetization of platforms like TikTok has incentivized users to invest significant time online, often at odd hours of the night.

The more followers and gifts they receive during live sessions, the higher their earnings. For these young creators, social media is not just a pastime—it is a livelihood.

However, this financial independence comes at a cost. Many youths sacrifice their education and social lives in pursuit of success online.

For instance, some content creators stay up from midnight to 5 a.m., engaging in live sessions to attract followers and gifts.
These odd hours leave little time for sleep, let alone attending lectures or engaging in productive daytime activities.This cycle is particularly troubling for students who, unbeknownst to their parents, prioritize social media over their studies. 

Imagine a 19-year-old who, instead of focusing on lectures or assignments, is more concerned about gaining followers on TikTok.

The result is a generation of students who may graduate with degrees but lack the practical knowledge and skills to thrive in their fields.

The implications are even graver for students in specialized fields like medicine, education, or engineering. How can a student doctor, who spends more time on TikTok than in the lab or hospital, be trusted with lives? Or a student teacher who prioritizes social media over lesson preparation be expected to inspire the next generation?

The mental health impact of this lifestyle cannot be ignored. Staying awake for extended hours on social media leads to sleep deprivation, which in turn affects focus, productivity, and emotional well-being. 

Some youths even fall asleep during live sessions, only to wake up and continue.
This unhealthy cycle can lead to burnout, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Moreover, the pressure to maintain a certain level of engagement and income on these platforms can be overwhelming. For many, the allure of quick money outweighs the long-term benefits of education, leading to a mindset where grades and academic performance become secondary.

Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Government Initiatives: The Nigerian government has introduced initiatives like the National Student Loan Scheme, allowing students to access loans and repay them after graduation. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable. How many students have genuinely benefited from this scheme? And how well are these programs implemented? The government must ensure that such initiatives are accessible and impactful, reducing the financial burden that drives students to prioritize social media earnings over education.

2. Parental Guidance: Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's priorities. Open communication and monitoring can help strike a balance between content creation and education. Parents must emphasize the importance of education while supporting their children’s creative endeavors responsibly.

3. Educational Institutions: Schools and universities must also step in by creating awareness about the dangers of overindulgence in social media. Workshops, counseling, and mentorship programs can guide students in managing their time effectively.

4. Digital Literacy Campaigns: NGOs and private organizations can collaborate to promote digital literacy, teaching youths how to use social media responsibly while maintaining focus on their education and mental health.

Social media is undoubtedly a two-sided coin for Nigerian youths. On one side, it offers unprecedented opportunities for financial independence and self-expression. On the other, it poses significant risks to education, mental health, and long-term success.

To remedy this situation, there must be collective efforts from parents, the government, and society at large. By prioritizing education, creating robust support systems, and encouraging responsible social media use, we can ensure that our youths harness the positive aspects of social media without jeopardizing their futures.

Blessing Iriaka 
Timeoutwithbliss Blog

Comments

  1. Uche MosesDecember 13, 2024 at 11:51 PM

    This is very apt! Precisely, social media as rightly stated here, is a two-sided coin as regards earnings vis-a-vis education.

    But to view this in another way, there are those who earn and get increasingly educated yet the more via social media. For example, there are people who got admitted to the university to study a course they really didn't or don't volitionally want to study. On their own, they decided to venture into an online field, and as they study and get more educated on that field, they make contents centred on that field and earn money online. So as they research the more on that field, they create more contents around that field which provide solutions to people's problems, and as people get value from the content, they make their money from the content they make. To this set of people, the social media is a double plus.

    However, just like you said, the government, parents and educational institutions and the society need to do something about the negative impact of the social media.

    Thank you so much for this piece, Journalist Timeoutwithbliss.

    Uche Moses.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Blessing IriakaDecember 14, 2024 at 1:16 AM

    Thank you so much Uche for your insightful response.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uche MosesDecember 22, 2024 at 7:18 AM

      You are welcome, journalist.😭

      Delete

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