A world without thinkers is a world without vision, where haphazard pleasures replace permanent purpose, and the candlelight of invention pales under the dark clouds of mediocrity.

In the past, people respected all relationships and followed virtues like modesty and humility. However, the present age represents an alarming decline in these virtues, especially among the youth. This younger generation today, devoid of intellectualism, analytical excellence, and inclusiveness, speaks graphically about what is in the pipeline ahead. Constant pleasure and entertainment slavery have consequently weakened their ability to question the status quo and actively engage with issues that implicate the society in its crucial discretion.

From scientists, philosophers, and geniuses in intellect, youths these days seem to embrace social media influencers as their role models.

Social media platforms have exponentially grown in this 21st century. Though initially designed to provide a sense of connection and communication, they gradually became an outlet for addiction, consumerism, and escapism. The youth, in particular, spend hours surfing through entertainment, family vlogs, or influencer-driven content. According to the Statista report of 2024, 70 million Pakistanis are active users of social media with an average screen time of 2.5 hours per day.

This superficial exposure has led to a role model change. From scientists, philosophers, and geniuses in intellect, youths these days seem to embrace social media influencers as their role models. In most cases, these influencers are materialistic and consumerist, providing no intellectual justification to their generations, thus a culture of showoff and instant gratification. This trend of following these non-contributing heroes is a recipe for an unpalatable future among the generations.

Pakistan is among the world’s leading nations in terms of searches for explicit content. According to reports, 20 million people in Pakistan visit illegal sex websites each day. Such statistics point to the moral decay and unhealthy habits predominantly among the youth.

Dissatisfaction and societal pressure upsurge have become a massive mental health concern. According to the World Health Organization, 24% of Pakistani youths suffer from depression or anxiety due to sociological comparison, unemployment, and lack of purpose.
The alarming increase in suicides and psychological disorders among youths is a tragic symptom. Social media’s showoff culture and economic hardships only fuel the destructive psychology behind those feelings of inferiority.

Over 22.8 million children are out of school in Pakistan (UNICEF, 2024), and the relatively few who do enter school often have to cope with unemployment after graduation. This double-edged sword contributes further to rising dissatisfaction and mental health crises.
Family vlogs account for most online views by women and children in Pakistan. As shown by Gallup Pakistan, 40% of these audiences spend a lot of time watching family vlog content. Unfortunately, this kind of content does not deliver much and actually encourages pseudo-aspirations. Women have a key role in the making of future generation heroes, while children will be tomorrow’s leaders; they are therefore highly influenced by such fruitless use.

Moreover, the entertainment industry deceives people, destroys their minds, and wastes precious time. Instead of stimulating intellectual questions or critical thinking, these service providers promote sensationalism and consumerism.

Apart from consumerism, the youth are also embracing dangerous habits, such as obsession with porno material and other explicit content breeds an avenue for moral decay in society. Substance use among young people is increasing, cutting them off from intellectual and productive engagements. The show-off culture, which social media has amplified, makes one feel inadequate. Everyone presents his life as perfect, thus giving rise to competition and dissatisfaction. Isolation, jealousy, and anxiety become the norm rather than forming community.

Reversing these trends would, thus, have to involve education, media regulation, changes to parenting, conscious mental health understanding, and empowerment through the economic sphere.

Governments and social media platforms will have to work together to construct a healthier digital ecosystem.

The education system must focus on intellectual development, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking: Philosophy, ethics, and history must feature as core subjects to develop analytical and moral reasoning skills. Develop balanced curriculums that combine STEM education with humanities. Provide training for teachers who will nurture creativity, empathy, and intellectual curiosity. Equitable access to quality education must also feature, particularly in areas that remain underserved.

Governments and social media platforms will have to work together to construct a healthier digital ecosystem: Enact stiffer regulations to control access to explicit and harmful content on the web. Organize campaigns on digital literacy and responsible social media use. Bring to the forefront and celebrate the feats of philosophers, scientists, and intellectuals on social media sites to inspire the youth. Implement “screen-free hours” in schools, workplaces, and homes to engage in meaningful activities.

Parents are very influential in the values and behaviors of their children: Organize workshops that equip parents with strategies on effective parenting, such as discipline, empathy, and intellectual engagement. Ensure family interactions that involve reading, outdoor adventures, and creative discussions to instill a love for learning. Equip parents with resources for monitoring and guiding their children on appropriate online activities.
Mental health services must become a priority to combat the rising psychological disorders among the youth. Establish affordable and accessible mental health facilities nationwide. Integrate mental health education into school curriculums, teaching children how to manage stress and build resilience. Create peer support networks in schools and colleges to provide safe spaces for youth to share their struggles.

Raise awareness campaigns that will point out the negative ramifications of consumerism and livings of relevance. Organize workshops on global issues and problem-solving in schools and community centers that encourage purposeful actions. Reward and recognize people who advance reasons of positive contribution to society to divert attention from worldly things.

Invest in vocational training programs that train youth with practical skills needed in the market. Sponsor and provide funds to young entrepreneurs in order to encourage innovation and creativity. Increase job creation and make hiring transparent so that people can trust it and see opportunities.

The growing consumerism, show-off culture, and decline in value are a serious threat to the future of our youth and society at large. It is our collective responsibility to create an environment that fosters intellectualism, compassion, and integrity. By reforming education, regulating the media, empowering parents, addressing mental health, and creating economic opportunities, we pave the way for a brighter future. So, now is the time, because the choices we make today determine the generations of the day after tomorrow.