Socialisers

Recently, there has been growing discussion around the world about the role of social media, particularly when it comes to protecting young users and defining appropriate boundaries for mobile devices in schools.

Having grown up during the early days of the mobile phone era, I remember when banning phones was simply an internal school rule. We accepted it as part of school discipline. It was straightforward and rarely debated.

How times have changed. Today, what used to be a school policy has evolved into national conversations and even legislation determining when and how students can use their devices.

This raises an important question: Is social media itself really the problem?

Perhaps the deeper issue lies not just in the platforms, but in the content that circulates within them. Instead of focusing solely on restricting access, maybe we should also be asking how we can guide the next generation to develop discernment — to think critically about the content they consume and to exercise self-control over what they allow to shape their minds.

And honestly, this isn’t just a challenge for young people.

Adults struggle with it too.

There was once a time when our devices stayed quietly in our pockets, and conversations had our full attention. Today, it’s increasingly common to see people half-present, eyes drifting toward screens even when someone is speaking directly to them.

Technology is meant to serve us, not imprison us.

Surely, we wouldn’t want to become walking zombies — or prisoners of the very devices designed to make life easier.

Perhaps the real challenge is not simply regulating devices, but learning how to use them wisely.