Social media and Finland's younger generation

Finland's youth population was significantly using social media, including myself, which is consistent with the nation's general trend of high internet and social media penetration. In Finland, most young people have access to the internet, and internet penetration is high. The widespread use of social media platforms has been made easier by this and they use social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter often. These social media platforms facilitate content sharing, networking, and maintaining relationships with loved ones.

As we all know, Finland is a country that values education, especially digital literacy. Young people frequently possess a strong awareness of digital privacy, how to navigate online environments, and how to critically assess content found on social media and they have taken to incorporating modern technologies into schooling has gained them recognition. Social media use in particular is frequently considered as a tool for improving educational opportunities and encouraging young people's creativity.

Finland has taken action to increase awareness and educate young people about the effects of online harassment because it recognizes the importance of fighting cyberbullying. Programs to combat bullying are frequently incorporated into school curricula, and campaigns to promote responsible and polite online conduct are undertaken. The purpose of educational programs established in young people the value of responsible online conduct, which includes using digital platforms in an ethical manner, respecting the privacy of others, and being aware of the possible repercussions of sharing offensive content. However, concerns about children and teenagers spending too much time in front of screens have been actively addressed by Finland. Parental guidelines and education campaigns stress the value of keeping a balance between screen time and other activities, such exercise and in-person social contacts. Digital literacy is highly valued in the Finnish educational system, which makes sure that students have the knowledge and abilities to safely and critically explore the internet. This involves learning how trustworthy internet sources are and improving your critical thinking abilities.

Young people in Finland frequently use mobile devices to access social media, in line with worldwide trends. Platforms and apps focused on mobile devices are popular with this group of users. Young Finns use social media as a forum to share their ideals, hobbies, and cultural identities. It offers a forum for connecting with like-minded people and expressing oneself. The Finnish government has been actively involved in promoting digital literacy and safe online practices among young people. Various initiatives aim to equip them with the necessary skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

Although social media offers plenty of advantages, it also has drawbacks, especially for young people in Finland and other countries as well. Online platforms offer anonymity and distance, which may be factors in the prevalence of cyberbullying. Social media harassment, threats, and exclusion can negatively affect young people's mental and emotional health and overuse of social media has been connected to mental health issues like loneliness, depression, anxiety and along with other excessive screen time, can cause addiction-like behaviour. Young people's sleep patterns, physical health, and general well-being may all suffer as a result. And also, Social networking sites frequently present a carefully selected and imagined version, which raises impossible standards of beauty. For young people, this can result in low self-esteem and problems with body image when they compare themselves to virtual representations. Moreover, it’s possible that young people don't always fully understand the privacy dangers involved with sharing personal information online. On social media, oversharing and dangerous behaviour can have long-term effects and Misinformation and disinformation can come via social media. It is possible for young kids to be exposed to inaccurate or misleading information, which could affect how they see the world and current events. According to my references, Finland as well as globally being made efforts to solve these kinds of problems through governmental initiatives, education programs, and awareness campaigns. I think it seems like the best plan to pursue for a better tomorrow.

 

 

References

Report: Young people follow traditional media sources, but use new methods | Yle News | Yle

Survey: Finnish youngsters envision social media being about influence and equality – online bullying concerns them (tietoevry.com)