The Setia Mitra Community is organizing a discussion with the theme of “Social Media and Today’s Youth” at Desa Wareng on Sunday (29/10). This activity is followed by 15 teenage males and females who originate from different villages. This discussion, which takes place at one of the resident’s house, starts with a movie screening on the effects of social media towards youths. “We realize that social media gives a large impact towards youths, which is why we chose this theme to be discussed”, says Lusi, one of the presenters.
Further, the participants are divided into 4 groups and are asked to answer questions that has already been prepared. The group are given 15 minutes to answer all of the questions, then they are asked to present their answers. Based on the discussion’s result, the participants seem to understand the positive and negative effects that are attached to social media in their daily lives. The positive effects that are attached are, among else, the speedy dissemination of information, ability to connect with more people, a place to promote and as a media to share.
On a separate note, social media also gives negative impacts, such as addiction, anti-social traits, cybercrime, pornography, and tend to forget time. Seeing both positive and negative impact of social media, teenagers are expected to be wise in accessing social media. The youths are actually expecting further discussion on issues that are closely related to them, such as the issue at hand. Many of them gave inputs to conduct further socialization on issues concerning youth delinquency. “I am glad that these kinds of activities exist, and am looking forward to a bigger scale discussion”, says one of the participant. Other than members of Setia Mitra, volunteers from Rifka Annisa are also present.
*) Cornelia C Doa is a Masters Student in The Communication Sciences of Universitas Gadjah Mada and a volunteer in the Societal Organization and Advocacy Division at Rifka Annisa.
Translated by : Julian Martin
From : Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada
