Social media: a voice for the youth.

Social media has grown to such extent that it is a profound and integral part of our daily lives, something that we cannot live without.

Ask yourself this question, what were you doing with your free time, 4 years ago ans what are you doing with your free time now?  This might be more relevant to you, if you are between the ages of 15 to 36.

The reason for this might be simpler than one might think, for one it is because social media is easily accessible.  If we take a look at the mobile usage amongst South African youth, 72% of those between the ages of 15 and 24 have cell phones, according to the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.  

 

This technology enables them to go onto their social media platform easily and without hassle.  For example, according to Social Bakers, the largest age group using Facebook in South Africa is between 25-34, followed by users between the ages of 18-24 and 90% of them are accessing this platform from their mobile device.

The biggest reason for the success of social media is not just because it is easily accessible, but also because it gives the youth, and everyone else, a voice that is loud and clear, one that is heard.  It gives them a chance to express themselves in ways that so many disapprove of, especially in public places such as schools, where students get judged by other students or people who don’t let them express themselves. If someone were to judge you on Facebook, twitter, etc. you can easily delete them which many can’t do outside of social media without the risk of being bullied.

There is also a sense of power and expression that builds self-esteem; they can converge with whoever they want whenever they want to. It can also be a way out for so many people, not just for the youth, who struggle in life, those who have no friends or aren’t as social as those around them. It gives them a chance to meet new people and find friends online, which they couldn’t have done due to being shy or nervous.

Social media also helps strengthen relationships. Many people have friends whom they have not seen since school, or who have moved away and this platform gives them the possibility of staying connected with one another.

Even though social media is sometimes perceived as just being a cool tool for young people, providing them with swift and easy means of communication it is also a platform to build their self-esteem. People are still quick to judge the legitimate and informed uses of social media platforms. However, having quick worldwide lines of communication predominantly involving our youth, is exactly what is needed, to reach, activate and involve them in matters concerning our environment, education and social well being.

Remember the youth are our future and if we want them to be part of the conversation, then social media is where we need to start the conversation.

Youth: A Catalyst For Educational Change

It is always interesting to notice how youth culture and behavior is shaping education. With the rise of the Internet we have seen an introduction of various new resources to class rooms as well as a variety of new study directions to accommodate the influx of youths who want to work in these fields. Here is a quick breakdown of five ways youth have become catalysts for change in education:

Change #1 – The introduction of technology in the classroom

The University of Johannesburg was one of the first South African universities to introduce compulsory tablets for all first year students. Many schools also include interactive white boards in the class room to enhance the classroom experience. Youth enjoy learning by means of technology and this encourages engagement and access to even more information.

Change #2 – The need for new ways to gain an education

Many universities and colleges choose to offer a variety of short online  courses  that students can take to earn credits toward a degree or just to enrich their skills or develop their existing skills.

Change #3 – Learning beyond the classroom

Many students enjoy taking their studies beyond the classroom, choosing to view lectures online in their own time, engaging in student forums or engaging with and sharing a variety of study materials. Institutions naturally have to make provision for this, allowing students to be able to supplement their studies with these kind of resources.

Change #4 – Enriched resources

Whether prescribed textbooks are available for tablet, or whether an institution chooses to engage students in a virtual space, many students prefer rich content. Youth have become accustomed to second screen experiences – they choose to tweet while they watch TV or Google matters of interest while watching the Discovery Channel. The need for rich resources has never been greater. Academic, literary and cultural references can be at hand when you refer to them and eliminate the fact that many students will forget to look up a reference in the library.

Change #5 – The type of courses on offer

The popularity of the Internet provides a variety of new opportunities and career paths. Many of those who are specialists in the field are young working people and this is but one example of how new technology and social advancements can shape the need for new departments in education… popular culture is no longer something you experience on MTV, but you can learn about it to ensure that you can include the best approaches in your marketing attempts. The rise in popularity of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Mxit among youth ensures that “best practices” are introduced in a syllabus as well.

Youth will always remain a dynamic part of our society and with the investment in youth and how they contribute to the future of South Africa, it is only natural that they play a role in how education is shaped.

Janine Hills: Inspirational Woman

This month is women’s month and Eduloan would like to share the inspiring story of Janine Hills, the CEO and Founder of Vuma Reputation Management, a company that specialises in reputation management, crisis communication, media liaison and media training.

Janine has extensive business knowledge, skill and an intricate understanding of reputation management, backed by over 25 years of experience across various industries. She has done work for some large companies such as Southern Sun, Sun International, Vodacom, Kaizer Chiefs, Ster-Kinekor Home Entertainment, Ster-Kinekor Licensing and Primovie (a division of Primedia). Janine has also worked for FNB and was a founding member of ebucks.com, the eCommerce initiative.

We managed to get some time with this influential woman to talk to her about her approach to life:

Q: How did your education shape your future?
A: I didn’t have any formal tertiary education after matric. Everything I’ve learnt I learnt through experience gained at various organisations, by observing, doing extensive research and reading anything I could get my hands on.

Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: I do not have one single inspiration, because I choose to draw inspiration from daily interactions with peers, colleagues and clients, some of which includes Paul Harris (FirstRand Bank owner and former CEO), Alan Knott-Craig (Cell C CEO) and of course my spiritual leader, Shri Mamuadevi. Everyone teaches me bits and I enjoy continually learning from everyone.

Q: What are some of the difficulties that you had to overcome to get to where you are?
A: The biggest challenge for me has been to believe in myself and my personal capabilities. It included realising that you are your own biggest hurdle and that it all comes down to believing in yourself.

Q: You are involved with several projects – how do you find the inspiration to continue contributing to and influencing such a diverse range of projects and people?
A: I believe that one should always treat every single person the same, whether they are a car guard or an executive, everyone deserves to be treated similarly. It is always important to approach everything with a serving mentality. It you are willing to serve, you can touch people’s lives in even the smallest ways.

Q: What advice would you give South African youth?
A: You need to realise that there are no shortcuts. If you want to achieve something, you have to invest the time. Always think about the legacy that you would like to leave behind and how you impact those around you – there is no better time to start than now, even if you are still at school.

“Everything is possible if you do it with honesty, integrity and perseverance. Keep trying and believe in yourself” Janine Hills, CEO of Vuma Reputation Management