SCROLLING through social media, all one comes across happen to be influencers and sellers of online courses telling people about their ‘perfect’ lives. What lies behind the façade of glamour, however, remains hidden from the users. These so-called, self-styled gurus sell unattai-nable dreams. What they sell are dreams, not real-life deals.

Our young are seriously vulnerable, and get addicted to such content readily without realising how toxic the content actually is. They see that ‘everyone’ is having a ball out there, while they are the ones missing out on the ‘fun’. Their self-esteem stands crushed, with these dream-sellers telling them they are not good enough and need to buy their courses to be successful.

Unfortunately, levels of depression and anxiety go through the roof. The young are surrounded by illusions, and are on the road to escapism. This is really scary.

It is sad to see bright, brilliant and ambitious youngsters questioning their self-worth over not being able to own desi-gner stuff or travel to exotic destinations. We are creating a generation of miserable, unfulfilled, self-loathing ‘failures’ before they even get out of the gate.

As such, most of these influencers selling their courses are actually just faking their success with the help of one or the other editing app and some smart marketing. Our children need to learn the difference between real life and the version of it that is projected through the social media.

Pakistan does not need a nation of young people who are stressed out and are driven by comparisons. Instead, it needs a nation of emotionally resilient young adults with the ability to think critically to lead the country in the future.

Muhammad Haider Ali
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024