Curious Mind, an engaging educational program for children, airs every Saturday on GBC URA Radio. In a discussion segment, they explored the impact of social media on the youth in society. The guest speaker was Mr. Gideon Kwame Adu, an Engineer at GBC URA Radio Bolga, a technologist, and an IT expert.

In today’s digital era, technology and social media have revolutionized how young people interact, learn, and engage with the world. While these advancements offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges that must be carefully managed.

Technology, including social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok, provides young people with opportunities for connection, self-expression, and advocacy. Digital tools and apps have proven instrumental in supporting youth mental health, offering resources for emotional well-being, and creating safe online communities formarginalizedvoices.

Social media has also become a powerful tool for social justice, enabling young people to advocate for important causes and raise awareness on global issues. Exposure to diverse perspectives fosters empathy and social consciousness, empowering youth to drive positive change.

However, the digital world also has its downsides. The unrealistic beauty standards and materialistic ideals portrayed on social media contribute to self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression among young people. Algorithm-driven content can create echo chambers, reinforcing existing beliefs and sometimes exposing users to radicalized content.

Mr. Gideon Kwame Adu, guest of the program emphasized the importance of responsible technology use. He stated:
“Parents should set healthy boundaries for the use of technology in the lives of their wards by purposefully choosing the age their wards can start using technology and social media, educating them about the responsible use of it, and also monitoring the child’s use of both technology and social media. This would go a very long way in reducing the negative impact that technology and social media can have on them, such as cyberbullying, eye problems due to too much screen time, low self-worth, depression, and fake lives.”

He further advised:
“Being content with what one has is very important, as it will prevent you from having unrealistic expectations about appearance and life achievements, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy when comparing oneself to idealized portrayals seen online.”

To address these challenges, young people, educators, and parents must work together to set healthy boundaries. Managing screen time, promoting digital literacy, and encouraging offline activities are crucial steps in creating a balanced digital life. Digital literacy is particularly important in helping youth critically evaluate online content and avoid misinformation.

While social media and technology offer incredible opportunities for growth, advocacy, and connection, maintaining a balance between the digital and real world is key to ensuring a healthy and fulfilling life for the younger generation. By adopting responsible technology habits, youth can harness its benefits while minimizing its negative effects.

The post HOW TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTS THE YOUTH: A DOUBLE EDGE SWORD appeared first on GBC URA RADIO.

Teachers in the Talensi, Nabdam, and Bolga East Districts in the Upper East Region have benefited from a day’s training in Information and Communication Technology.

The training organised by the Collaboration for IT and Communication Technology seeks to equip these ICT teachers with the latest knowledge in digital literacy to enhance their delivery in the classroom.

The training is aimed at equipping the teachers with Information Communication Technologies (ICT) skills as part of efforts to develop their capacity to impart knowledge to their students.

Many of the teachers were drawn from schools in remote areas that have not had any special training in digital literacy for many years.

A Human Resource and Management Officer at the Nabdam District Education Directorate, Daniel Ayamga, said:

“Digital inclusion has increasingly become an important part of everyday life, which is a requirement for success in both the classroom and the world of work. It is important for government to know that the Nabdam Education Directorate does not have enough IT teachers to cover.’’

A board member of Collaboration for IT and Communication Technology, Abdul Manan, told the media that:

“They started the intervention at Nabdam Models’ School with few computers to test the general knowledge level of IT in the District. The intervention revealed that the teachers needed to be trained in the special area in order to be able to nurture the students to develop and grow some interest in ICT. Knowledge in ICT can help improve the living standards of people.”

Mr. Manan also presented some laptop computers to the Nabdam Model Girls School to enhance teaching and learning of ITC in school. Some teachers, including the headmistress of the Model Girls Junior High School, Madam Cynthia Kapoti were excited for the knowledge gained from the training.

The Nabdam Education Directorate currently has 23 KGs schools, 15 Junior High Schools and 23 Primary Schools and 7 private schools, and one Senior High School in operation. It has a total of not less than 300 teachers in the district.

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