TODAY’S VIEWPOINT TAKES A LOOK AT HOW DIGITAL CONTENT IS ERODING FAMILY VALUES
In recent years, the rise of social media has redefined global communication, reshaped personal branding, and has become an avenue to fame overnight.
This transformation has not come without significant moral consequences.
A growing number of young people, especially women now leverage their bodies rather than their talents to gain online popularity, often with little or no regard for traditional family values.
It is now common to see young female content creators exposing sensitive parts of their bodies on platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, all in the name of clout or getting their social media accounts monetised.
These acts, often disguised as entertainment or creative expression, are a direct affront to the values of modesty, respect, and dignity that were once central to family and societal upbringing.
In addition, the monetization of vulgarity is now being normalized.
The algorithms of many social platforms seem to reward explicit content with higher visibility and engagement.
As a result, young people are motivated to prioritize sensationalism over substance.
Sadly, what should have been tools for education, enlightenment, and empowerment are fast becoming channels for moral degeneration.
Moreover, the impact of this content goes beyond the individuals creating it.
A new generation of viewers, including minors, are being exposed to indecency as what used to raise eyebrows is now considered trendy.
Society itself must share part of the blame as parents, guardians, and other stakeholders are either too distracted, too permissive, or too silent.
While schools rarely offer education in digital ethics, religious and cultural institutions are also losing influence as digital celebrities take the lead in shaping public behaviour and opinion.
Furthermore, corporate brands and advertisers also fuel this decline by collaborating with influencers whose popularity is built on provocative content.
This commercial endorsement indirectly validates and rewards behaviour that undermines societal norms.
Social media platforms, while quick to enforce guidelines on hate speech and copyright, are often slow to curb indecent exposure, unless public outrage forces their hand.
While freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it must be exercised responsibly.
The society we build tomorrow depends on the values we uphold today.
It is therefore imperative that we begin to teach and reward decency, modesty, and integrity both offline and online.
Parents must become more involved in their children’s digital lives.
Institutions must reinforce moral education and content creators must be reminded that influence comes with responsibility.
The internet never forgets and the legacy we leave behind will not only reflect what we did but who we were.
Finally, is the society raising a generation that chases likes at the cost of values, or one that builds a digital future rooted in virtue?
