Social media puts teens in the firing line

BEING a teenager and growing up these days is not an easy thing. It’s 2015 and we have advanced greatly in terms of technological devices. With all the advantages offered, the disadvantages follow.

I agree with the writers of your series of articles on teen suicide, “Why are our kids finding their lives not worth living?” (August 23) when they state that social media affects thoughts of an individual towards suicide.

On the internet teens are “in the firing line”, opening themselves up to being criticised online. When teens are in such a vulnerable state they should experience only the positive — but in fact social media offers the opposite.

Social media is used as a canvas to paint their lives using brighter colours so as to “enhance” the life they are living. People use social media to show all the good in their life, leaving out the bad. Others are made to feel empty and disappointed with the life they have been granted. — Tasneem Sallie (age 15), Johannesburg

We knew our boundaries

I’M perturbed about all the suicides among the youth of today. What are the real reasons behind the decisions of teens to take their lives? Your article hasn’t addressed the underlying causes.

Growing up is never easy, but it certainly isn’t hard. Perhaps we should look at how the youth of today are raised or not raised by parents or parent. Are they being given the self-confidence to face the world? To deal with the pressures that we face in everyday life?

Are they being taught that self-worth is not determined by social standing or what people say about them? Are they being taught how to stand up for themselves?

Having worked with kids of all ages for the past 16-plus years, the short answer is no.

Who is to blame? The parents, teachers and other adults who mentor them? Or the kids themselves?

When I was growing up, kids tended to be more hardy and selfsufficient and had some common sense or thoughtfulness. We didn’t take things personally when teased and we all had our fair share.

I think this is due in a large part to not being spoon-fed. We were left alone to make mistakes, experiment and learn from our experiences without being irresponsible and that responsibility was taught to us from a young age. We knew where the boundaries were.

Today’s youth seem to have fewer boundaries, with more freedom they aren’t necessarily ready for. — P van der Leeuw , by e-mail

Teens need our support

YOUR insightful articles on childhood and teenage suicide last week highlight a terrible phenomenon in our society.

As a mental health practitioner I become more aware, every time this crosses my path, that children and teenagers have a need to be understood, supported and valued by those close to them, especially in these current, trying times.

Your articles contributed to the understanding of this tragic phenomenon. Thank you. — Dr Andrew Lewis, by e-mail

Wrong to use advertising

ROBERT Nkuna’s “The case for scrutiny” (August 23) includes the platitudinous: “It is possible there are editors who want to use the media to play oppositional politics.”

There is nothing wrong with editors playing opposition politics. It is for the reader to decide which newspaper to read. By the same token, advertisers have the right to choose which newspaper to use.

However, the advertiser’s decision must be based on circulation figures. This is even more the case for the government, which uses public funds to place advertisements in newspapers; these should reach their intended recipients.

In a democracy, the government can never be legally and morally justified in using advertisements to punish a press that is perceived to be hostile. For instance, can it ever be justified for a government department to advertise a tender for building nuclear plants in an obscure local newspaper, shunning national and international newspapers?

The answer is clearly no. — Erick Mhlanga, Thohoyandou

Costly popularity contest

REGARDING the editorial “Yet more evidence of the politics of parole” (August 23): thank you for a wellwritten and objective view of the Oscar Pistorius saga. Your last sentence, especially, struck a chord: “We should all be subject to the rule of law, not the whim of politicians”.

The politicians seem to be trying to outdo themselves to remain popular at the cost of most ordinary South African citizens. — Lorinda Winter, Still Bay

ANC: rebuild, don’t reinvent

WHY William Gumede’s article about the ANC, “How a crisis-ridden ANC can reinvent its primary colours” (August 23)? Why suggest the removal of the president? This is sinister. Every political party has its challenges, but to suggest that so and so must be removed in order to rebuild it is stirring up trouble.

Removing people in an organisation has advantages and disadvantages — and for ANC the latter may be the case.

Today many cry foul about the removal of Bheki Cele as police commissioner and I am among them. When there are problems at home, we don’t remove the father. There may be problems in the ANC, but President Jacob Zuma is not alone in steering the organisation.

The ANC, and many other political organisations, have challenges and they should engage in dialogue to resolve them. Removal of persons should be the last resort.

Discussion will cement and strengthen operations within parties and will help to rebuild, not reinvent. — DC Sibeko, by e-mail

Lift clubs help share load

I CONCUR with the researcher mentioned in “Fast lane reserved for the rich in SA” (August 23).

I used to work in Pretoria. I then had to move back to the Vaal for family reasons and had to use my car to travel to the Gautrain station in Braamfontein to catch a train, which cost R1 800, plus parking of R15 a day multiplied by 22 days, plus a shuttle bus. It became expensive.

I then opted for business class on Metrorail, which was R1 500 inclusive of parking and shuttle.

To beat these prices, I then joined a lift club, where I had to use my car for five days. A full tank lasted me until Thursday and add R150 for Friday.

Lift clubs are the way to go. — Richard, by e-mail