Forum: Social media relevant to young people’s civic participation

I refer to the Straits Times commentary “

Should Singapore follow Australia and ban social media for under-16s?”

(Dec 22). While my own age precludes me from being affected by such a ban on social media, I feel it is important to provide insight into the current roles of social media in Singapore for young people.

It cannot be denied that youth have their individual world views – political, civic or otherwise. However, given the sentiment that Generation Z is more open-minded about many issues, these world views cannot be shaped merely by parents, teachers or the news media. The world views of youth are often shaped by social media, through interacting with the diverse perspectives of their peers.

In a way, social media provides them with a way to engage in the civic world and have conversations about issues beyond the context of the home and the school. Political discussion may be unfit for the dinner table, and few would be willing to be open about their views in school. Social media then acts as a precursor to the active political participation of youth upon turning 21 and casting their first votes.

I say there is value in preserving this aspect of nurturing the voices of youth, just as there is value in nurturing the Voices of Youth platform in Forum. The creation of safer online spaces, healthier for youth psychology, does not justify completely excluding youth from online discourse, even on difficult topics.

Adwin Lau Yu Tan, 17
Year 1 Junior College