Day 17 – Digital Life and Social Media: The Good, the Bad, the Necessary
Living in a time where digitisation is not just a luxury but a lifestyle is something I deeply appreciate. I still remember when mobile phones were primarily for making calls and sending short text messages. Fast forward to today, that same device has evolved into a compact powerhouse, a handheld computer capable of doing almost anything within seconds. It's mind-blowing. (Technologiya!!!! 🤌🏾😅🌚)
Digital life has undeniably reshaped every facet of human existence. The benefits? speed, access, convenience, and connection are monumental. The good, in many ways, outweighs the bad. Since the advent of the internet and the rise of social media, humanity has witnessed an explosion of information. Every second births new text, video, audio knowledge being shared at the speed of light. Yet within this lies the problem: not all of it is credible. There’s no universal filter to separate the helpful from the harmful. In this era, anyone with a smartphone and a strong following on social media is suddenly a ‘thought leader.’ It’s now common for people with no real expertise to publicly challenge seasoned professionals, and worse still, their followers cheer them on in ignorance. (Yes I'm talking about your fave 😏😒)
Social media is powerful. It can inspire, connect, educate, build community, and foster empathy across borders. You can share in someone’s culture from thousands of miles away or find a friend you haven’t seen in decades. But just like every tool, in the wrong hands, it can become a dangerous weapon. For some Nigerian politicians, it’s often a platform for curated lies, propaganda masked with smiles, while the truth is tucked away under flashy headlines and filtered photos.
For the average young person, the danger lies in distorted perceptions of life and success. Before this digital age, many of us grew up looking up to parents, teachers, authors, or film heroes. Now, a 15-year-old’s dream is to drive a Benz before turning 18. The girl child, barely in her teens, is pressured to mirror the lifestyle of a 40-year-old influencer, all because it looks glamorous on Instagram. It's wild but it’s the sad reality.
Still, we cannot do away with social media. It’s a necessary tool. But like any powerful thing, it must be handled with care and intention. If used right, it can shape our lives, uplift our minds, and connect our hearts. The challenge is not whether digital life is good or bad, it's whether we choose to use it wisely or let it use us.
All written and compelled by Phekwalayan Lemuel.
Check out our previous publishing for day 1 - 16.
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