Awakened generation: Role of social media
KUWAIT: The Palestinian-Zionist conflict has brought light to the youths about the crucial incidents outspreading through mass media. In the past, children were not exposed to bitter news or sensitive images, as parents safeguarded their children from an anxious-inducing environment. With the unveiling of media concerning the unceasing conflicts, children worldwide have been awakened to the notion of instability and hazardousness—watching children’s deaths, parents crying, body parts being amputated, and the voices of agony no longer being censored.
Moatasem said, “the ones who walk in Gaza should walk barefoot or purified, as the bodies of the martyrs are spread on the streets, below the buildings, and above the ground; some are buried while others can’t be found.” Watching the news every day and expecting a ceasefire with no peace has been noxious for every person emotionally involved.
The fear, the pain, the death, the survival, and especially their faith have held lifestyle-questioning considerations for each of us. Enjoying the luxury of eating, sleeping, shopping, etc is no more compelling as it was, and practicing them stricken our conscience, while the best we could do is pray for them and help with the boycotts.
A feeling of gratitude towards the reports, the press, and the individuals who aren’t certain about their own lives, implementing their best to deliver updates around them through social media. He acknowledged that his son is familiar with the ongoing events taking place and would rather approach a discussion with him while he acquires the information through the mass media and the environment in which he is engaged.
Mohanad (Moatasem’s 9-year-old son) expressed, “lands have been occupied for the past decades, with the destruction of houses, mosques, churches, and hospitals. Helpless women, children, and people have been killed.” A war is when two countries have the need to go against each other. However, this is not a war; this is an attack against the helpless people.
Having access to TV, mobile phones, radio, newspapers, or even being surrounded by people with common interests has helped many people get acquainted with countless pieces of information on the ongoing conflicts as well as the companies and products boycotted and find alternatives. Marwan, 12 years old, spoke of his awareness of the Zionists taking over Palestine illegally in 1948 and their attacks on Gaza with the excuse of defending themselves from Hamas, but targeting hospitals and children instead.
Marwan got these information through the videos that he saw while watching YouTube. Noora (Marwan’s mother) spoke on how watching the viral videos spread through social media platforms is heartbreaking: “Watching thousands of children being killed, parents losing their children, or a child being the only survivor in the family, individuals losing their families, hard earnings, and houses is painful to imagine.”
She implied that the least parents could do is educate themselves and their children, as they are already exposed to the news through social media. Hence, social media has played a great role in delivering a world with an awakened generation that educates the youth with worldwide information.