A Generation Between Screens and Reality
In every civilization, the youth have always been the backbone of progress, strength, and identity. They carry the values of a society into the future. But what happens when the direction of youth itself is influenced, distracted, and slowly reshaped by unseen forces? In today’s digital era, social media has become one of the most powerful tools shaping minds, behaviors, and beliefs … especially among the younger generation in Pakistan and across the world.
Social media was initially introduced as a means of connection. It promised to bring people closer, share knowledge, and create global unity. However, over time, it has evolved into something far more complex. As an observer, I believe that it is not just a neutral platform anymore, but a system that influences thinking patterns, values, and priorities in ways that are often subtle but deeply impactful.
One of the most concerning aspects is how social media gradually shifts attention away from purpose and responsibility. The youth, instead of focusing on education, character-building, and long-term goals, often find themselves trapped in endless scrolling. Hours are spent consuming content that may have no real benefit for personal growth. Slowly, discipline weakens, focus decreases, and the sense of direction becomes unclear.
A large portion of youth energy is spent on memes, short posts, and entertainment-based content, while very little attention is given to productive activities that could actually improve their future. Rather than engaging with meaningful learning or skill development, many are constantly exposed to content that is either meaningless or, in some cases, promotes inappropriate and vulgar material.
And what about transformation of values?
In many traditional societies like Pakistan, values such as modesty, respect, family bonding, and simplicity are highly emphasized. However, social media often promotes a different set of ideals … instant fame, physical appearance, material success, and constant validation through likes and followers. This creates an internal conflict in young minds between cultural values and digital trends.
Over time, many young people begin to measure their worth based on online approval. The number of likes on a post or views on a video starts to feel more important than real-life achievements. This shift may seem small at first, but it slowly changes how individuals see themselves and others.
When I was a child, social media was not such a dominant part of our lives. Life was slower, simpler, and more connected in a real sense. We used to sit with our elders, listen to their stories, and observe their experiences closely. Every gathering, every family sitting, and every conversation carried some lesson, some wisdom, or some value that we would quietly absorb and take with us.
However, today the situation has changed drastically. Social media has become so deeply integrated into our daily routines that even when seven members of a family sit together in the same room, each one is often lost in their own digital world. Phones have replaced conversations, and screens have replaced eye contact. Instead of sharing thoughts with each other, everyone is busy scrolling, watching, or engaging with content online. This silent shift has created distance within closeness … physically present but emotionally disconnected.
One of the most deeply affected groups is women and as a woman, I can confirm it.
Social media has created intense pressure regarding appearance, lifestyle, and perfection. Many young girls feel forced to compare themselves with heavily edited and filtered images. This comparison often leads to insecurity, anxiety, and a distorted self-image. Instead of focusing on education, skills, and inner development, attention is sometimes diverted toward external validation.
Even, marriage, life after marriage, connection of a women with her spouse, it’s all been affected. Social media often portrays marital life as perfectly romantic and effortless, which creates unrealistic expectations and distances people from real-life challenges and responsibilities. This filtered image of relationships makes individuals compare their reality with illusion, leading to disappointment instead of understanding and patience. Even my expectations and standards are higher now that I find myself caught between “princess treatment” and “bare minimum” ideals.
It’s my opinion and many of you may disagree but I have a strong impression about how social media promotes certain hidden agendas through trends, entertainment, and influencer culture. Content is often designed in a way that captures attention quickly but does not necessarily promote deep thinking or meaningful reflection. Over time, repeated exposure to such content can normalize behaviors, ideas, and lifestyles that may not align with a society’s cultural or moral foundation.
Over time, many things that were once widely considered inappropriate or unacceptable within societies and even across different religious and cultural traditions have gradually become more normalized in public discourse.
Why this so?
Because when a person stays in a polluted environment for too long, they eventually stop noticing the smell.
And when we as people, are exposed to something repeatedly, our sensitivity toward it begins to reduce, and what once felt clearly right or wrong starts to feel “normal” simply because it is seen so often.
Another silent impact is the weakening of spiritual and moral awareness. When minds are constantly occupied with entertainment, trends, and digital distractions, there is less time for reflection, self-accountability, and spiritual growth. Many young people feel mentally exhausted yet emotionally unfulfilled. Despite being “connected” all the time, they often experience a sense of inner emptiness.
I am not saying that that social media itself is not entirely negative and we all should boycott these platforms. It is a tool. Like any tool, its effect depends on how it is used. It has also been used for spreading awareness, education, charity work, and positive social change. Many individuals use it to share knowledge, inspire others, and build careers. The issue lies not in the existence of the platform, but in the lack of awareness and balance in its usage.
The real challenge is not to completely reject social media, but to develop a conscious and disciplined relationship with it. Youth need to understand that not everything they see online represents truth. Much of what is shown is curated, edited, and designed for attention rather than reality. We need to be rational, to learn enough the difference between reel and real…
Families, educators, and communities also have a responsibility. There should be guidance, open conversations, and awareness about digital influence. Young people need to be taught how to think critically, how to protect their values, and how to maintain balance between the digital and real world. As individuals, we must first bring positive change within ourselves if we want to build a better future for the coming generations. Mothers, fathers, and the entire family institution need to become stronger, more conscious, and more grounded in values to shape a healthier and more balanced society.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Opinion Desk.
