Sucked up in social media?

In response to a social media shut down, Nepal’s Gen Z population took to the streets to protest against the political corruption that caused the ban. These protests, while violent, have affected Nepal’s leadership, as seen by the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and the return of social media to the country.

Whether there is agreement or disagreement on the methods used to make political change (51 deaths counted by the protests), it is abundantly clear social media is becoming a necessity for today’s age. However, is this reliance on social media a good thing for young people? Social media is deemed important by the United Nations, as shown in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 19 declaring the universal right to express opinions and access information through media. The global communication that comes with social media has its perks. The widespread use of social media leads to the increased volume of information flows to far reaching places. Media like Mr. Beast’s YouTube videos building wells and TikTok videos of refugees and war highlight the different struggles and ways to help digitally.

But like any good-intentioned information source, social media has its price. There are many examples of social media’s dark side. Bots, misinformation, disinformation and online bullying plague almost every online platform, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to decipher what is true online. Recent studies have shown increased usage of social media is harmful to mental health, while other studies found that misinformation and disinformation online contribute to division and distrust.

Is social media’s role in our lives a good thing? Unfortunately, I believe social media, for better or for worse, is a fact of life for most people. We have created a virtual crutch on which we need to walk, and it is apparent by the reaction to the shutdown in Nepal. Social media is an important part of life in 2025. So, whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay.