The DARK SIDE of social media - TOP 10 effects on BOYS
By Arjang Salamat
In this blog post, we'll explore the top 10 effects of social media on boys, highlighting some of the ways in which it can harm their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it has changed the way we interact with each other. It has brought us closer together, but it has also created a dark side that can have a negative impact on our youth, particularly boys. In this blog, we will explore the top 10 effects of social media on boys, and what parents can do to protect their sons from these dangers.
Sharing Explicit Images One of the most troubling effects of social media on boys is the ease with which they can share explicit images of themselves or others. Boys may feel pressure to share sexually explicit images to impress their peers or to fit in, but this can have serious consequences, including cyberbullying and legal issues.
Lack of Respect for Girls Another concerning effect of social media on boys is the lack of respect for girls. Boys may see girls as objects to be objectified and shared on social media, rather than as human beings with feelings and dignity. This can lead to harmful and disrespectful behavior towards girls and can perpetuate toxic gender stereotypes.
Cyberbullying Social media has made it easier for boys to bully others, and boys may be more likely to engage in cyberbullying than girls. Boys may use social media to intimidate, threaten, or harass others, and this can have serious consequences, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide.
Decrease in Face-to-Face Communication Social media can also have a negative effect on boys' ability to communicate face-to-face. Boys may become so accustomed to communicating through social media that they struggle to connect with others in person. This can lead to social isolation and difficulty forming meaningful relationships.
Increased Exposure to Violence and Aggression Boys may be exposed to more violence and aggression on social media than girls. Boys may see images and videos of violence and aggression on social media, which can desensitize them to violence and make them more likely to engage in aggressive behavior themselves.
Decrease in Empathy Social media can also lead to a decrease in empathy among boys. Boys may see so many images and videos of other people's pain and suffering on social media that they become numb to it and less likely to feel empathy for others.
Decrease in Mental Health Boys may also experience a decrease in mental health as a result of social media. Boys may feel pressure to present a perfect image of themselves on social media, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and body image issues.
Decrease in Physical Health Social media can also have a negative effect on boys' physical health. Boys may spend too much time on social media, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and an increased risk of obesity and other health problems.
Decrease in Academic Performance Boys may also see a decrease in academic performance as a result of social media. Boys may spend too much time on social media, which can lead to distractions and a lack of focus in the classroom.
.Decrease in Self-Esteem Lastly, boys may also experience a decrease in self-esteem as a result of social media. Boys may compare themselves to the idealized images they see on social media and feel inadequate or inferior.
It is important for parents to be aware of the potential negative effects of social media on their sons and to take steps to protect them. Parents should set clear boundaries and limits on social media use, and monitor their sons' social media activity to ensure they are not engaging in harmful or dangerous behavior. Additionally, parents should also teach their sons about media literacy,
These negative effects are not inevitable and can be mitigated with appropriate guidance and support from parents, educators and community. Boys should be taught how to use social media responsibly and how to recognize and avoid the potential pitfalls. Parents should monitor their children's social media use and set appropriate limits, and educators should incorporate media literacy education into their curriculum.
The DARK SIDE of social media - TOP 10 effects on girls and young woman
By Arjang Salamat
Social media has become a ubiquitous part of our lives, with many of us spending hours every day scrolling through our feeds and interacting with our friends and followers. But while social media has many benefits, such as connecting us with loved ones, providing a platform for self-expression and creativity, and even helping us to build businesses and careers, there is also a dark side to this technology. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 effects of social media on girls and young women, and discuss ways to mitigate these negative effects.
Body image issues: Social media is filled with images of perfect bodies, perfect faces, and perfect lives, which can lead girls to feel inadequate and self-conscious about their own bodies. Studies have shown that girls who spend more time on social media are more likely to develop body image issues and to suffer from eating disorders.
Cyberbullying: Social media can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying, with bullies able to target their victims 24/7 and to reach a wider audience than ever before. Girls are particularly at risk of cyberbullying, with studies showing that they are more likely to be bullied online than boys.
Anxiety and depression: Spending too much time on social media can also lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression. Studies have shown that girls who spend more time on social media are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those who spend less time online.
Sleep deprivation: Girls who spend a lot of time on social media are also more likely to suffer from sleep deprivation, as the constant stimulation of their screens can make it difficult for them to fall asleep at night.
Lack of focus: Social media can also make it difficult for girls to focus and to complete tasks, as they are constantly distracted by notifications and updates.
Social isolation: While social media is supposed to connect us with others, it can also lead to social isolation, as girls may spend more time interacting with their screens than with real people.
Poor self-esteem: Girls who are constantly bombarded with images of perfection on social media can develop poor self-esteem, as they compare themselves to others and come up short.
Risky behaviors: Girls who spend a lot of time on social media may also be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as sexting or meeting strangers online.
Addiction: Social media can be addictive, and girls who spend too much time online may find it difficult to disconnect and to focus on other aspects of their lives.
Online harassment and sexual exploitation: Girls can be more vulnerable to online harassment and sexual exploitation, as they are more likely to be targeted by predators and to be coerced into sharing personal information or engaging in sexual activities.
To mitigate these negative effects of social media, it's important for parents to educate themselves and their daughters about the dangers of social media and how to use it safely. Parents should also set limits on the amount of time their daughters spend on social media and encourage them to engage in other activities such as sports, arts, and hobbies, that can build their self-esteem and self-confidence. It's also important for parents to talk to their daughters about the importance of self-care and to remind them that social media is not the only thing that defines them.
It is also important for girls to be taught media literacy skills, to be able to critically evaluate the information and images they see on social media. Encourage them to question what they see and to think critically about the messages they receive.
Furthermore, schools should provide education and support on how to recognize and prevent cyberbullying, and there should be strict consequences for those who engage in this behavior. Girls should also be taught how to report cyberbullying and where to turn for help if they are being targeted.
In addition, it's important for girls to be aware of their online privacy settings and to be cautious about the information they share online. They should be encouraged to use strong passwords and to be careful about who they friend or follow. Parents should also be aware of their daughters' online activity and should monitor their social media accounts to ensure they are safe.
Lastly, parents and educators should work together to help girls develop healthy relationships with social media. This can include encouraging them to take breaks from their screens, to disconnect from social media for a certain amount of time each day or week, and to engage in other activities that foster connection, such as family dinners, outdoor activities, and volunteering.
In conclusion, social media can be a powerful tool for girls, but it's important to be aware of the potential negative effects it can have on their mental health, physical well-being and overall development. By educating ourselves, our girls and our community, we can minimize these effects and help our girls navigate the digital world in a safe and healthy way.
Protecting our Kids from Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know
By Arjang Salamat
Cyberbullying has become a major concern for parents in recent years, as technology has become increasingly integrated into our daily lives. With the rise of social media and instant messaging apps, it has become easier for bullies to target their victims and for the bullying to continue outside of school hours. In this blog post, we will explore what cyberbullying is, the impact it can have on children and young people, and what parents can do to protect their kids from this form of bullying.
Cyberbullying is defined as the use of technology to harass, humiliate, or threaten someone. This can include posting mean or hurtful comments online, spreading rumors or lies, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, or creating fake profiles to impersonate someone. It can also include more subtle forms of bullying, such as excluding someone from an online group or ignoring them on social media.
The impact of cyberbullying can be severe. Studies have shown that children and young people who are bullied online are at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. They may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches and stomachaches. In addition, cyberbullying can have a negative impact on school performance and can lead to absenteeism.
So, what can parents do to protect their kids from cyberbullying? One of the most important things is to have open and honest conversations with your children about the risks of cyberbullying and how to stay safe online. Encourage your kids to talk to you if they are being bullied or if they see someone else being bullied. Let them know that you will take them seriously and that you will help them to find a solution.
Another important step is to monitor your child's online activity. Keep an eye on their social media accounts, and be aware of the apps that they are using. Many social media platforms have tools that allow parents to monitor their child's activity and set limits on the amount of time that they can spend online.
It is also important to teach your children how to be responsible digital citizens. This includes teaching them not to share personal information online, how to be respectful to others, and how to report cyberbullying when they see it.
In addition to these strategies, parents can also seek out resources and support from schools and organizations that specialize in cyberbullying prevention. Schools can provide education and training for students and parents on how to recognize and prevent cyberbullying. Organizations such as Cyberbullying Research Center, Cyberwise, and National Bullying Prevention Center can also provide information and support for parents and educators.
It's also worth mentioning the importance of parents being good role models when it comes to online behaviour. Children often look up to and model their parents, so it's important to be mindful of how we use technology and social media as parents. It is also important to be aware of the language we use when talking about people online, and to be respectful of other people's feelings and privacy.
In conclusion, cyberbullying is a serious issue that can have severe consequences for children and young people. Parents play an important role in protecting their kids from this form of bullying by having open and honest conversations with their children, monitoring their online activity, teaching them how to be responsible digital citizens, and seeking out resources and support. By taking these steps, parents can help to ensure that their kids have positive and safe online experiences.
Social Media Strategies Revealed: Exposing the Tactics Used to Entrap Its Victims
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It connects us to friends and family, keeps us informed about current events, and provides us with endless entertainment. However, social media companies and advertisers use sophisticated tactics to capture and manipulate our attention, leading to a loss of privacy and control over our time. In this blog post, we will reveal the strategies used by social media companies and advertisers to entrap their victims, and provide tips on how to take back control of your online engagement.
One of the most common tactics used by social media companies and advertisers is the use of algorithms to personalize the content we see. These algorithms track our online behavior, including the websites we visit, the videos we watch, and the posts we like, and use this information to create a personalized feed that is designed to keep us engaged for as long as possible. This leads to a filter bubble, where we are only exposed to information that confirms our existing beliefs and biases, and are insulated from alternative perspectives.
Another tactic used by social media companies and advertisers is the use of notifications and push notifications to grab our attention. These notifications are designed to be highly distracting, and can disrupt our focus and productivity. They can also lead to feelings of anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out) when we feel compelled to respond to them immediately.
Social media companies and advertisers also use the design of their platforms to entrap their victims. The use of infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, and the placement of like and share buttons make it easy for us to spend hours on social media without realizing it.
In addition to the tactics already mentioned, social media companies and advertisers also use paid incentives to manipulate the information that is shared on their platforms. This can include paying influencers to promote products or services, or paying media outlets to produce content that aligns with the interests of the advertiser. These incentives can lead to the spread of misleading information or the promotion of products or services that are not in the best interest of the consumer.
It is important to be aware of these paid incentives and to critically evaluate the information that is shared on social media. Look for signs of sponsored content, such as the use of #ad or #sponsored hashtags, and be wary of information that seems too good to be true. Additionally, consider the source of the information and the potential biases that may be present.
It is also worth noting that many social media platforms have come under fire for allowing false or misleading political ads to run, which is a clear example of how paid incentives can lead to spreading of misinformation. It is important to be critical of the information that is shared on social media, and to fact-check information before sharing or acting on it.
To take back control of your online engagement, it is important to be aware of these tactics and to develop strategies to counteract them. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
Use social media mindfully: Be intentional about the time you spend on social media and the content you engage with. Set limits for yourself, and stick to them.
Customize your notifications: Turn off notifications for apps that are not essential, and customize the settings for the apps that you do use.
Seek out alternative perspectives: Make an effort to seek out information and perspectives that challenge your existing beliefs and biases.
Take regular breaks: Take regular breaks from social media to give your mind a rest and to prevent burnout.
Use tools that can help: Use apps and browser extensions that can help you track your time on social media and limit your exposure to certain types of content.
Social media can be a powerful tool for connecting with others and staying informed, but it is important to be aware of the tactics used by social media companies and advertisers to entrap their victims. By being mindful of these tactics and developing strategies to counteract them, we can take back control of our online engagement and use social media in a way that is beneficial to us.
Why I Founded the FUTURUM Academy!
Arjang Salamat
Let me start on a positive note; I do believe that humans have the power to make meaningful change in their lives and in the world, and that technological advancements are an opportunity to do just that.
I also see the risk posed by these powerful emerging technologies and underlying revenue models to control and manipulate the thoughts, values, beliefs, and behaviors of the youth and vulnerable communities. Unfortunately, with emerging tech, we now have the technology to influence our youth not just in their physical environment, but in their virtual environment as well, anytime and anywhere.
Big tech is using a variety of tactics to monetize our youth and time and future, from using persuasive design tactics to create more addictive and interactive experiences, to promoting products and services tailored for specific audiences' behavior.
They are also using data-driven algorithms and AI to personalize content and messaging that resonates with people's interests, values and beliefs. This allows them to target and tailor their approach to specific people and communities, in order to gain a better understanding of their interests and behaviors. Additionally, they are using marketing techniques such as influencer marketing and affiliate marketing to reach wider audiences and generate more sales. They are also utilizing social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to create more engaging content and promote their products and services. Finally, they are creating more immersive experiences, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive online games, to keep people engaged and build loyalty. All of these tactics are designed to drive more revenue and help companies monetize our youth, future, and create a submissive workforce with low personal, leadership, and life skills.
The current generation of youth, Gen-Alpha, is the first to be born into a world where they are being raised and taught by technology and social media content, rather than by their parents.
With the majority of families having two working parents, most lack the time, energy, capacity, or knowledge to positively engage and teach children on a regular basis and develop the youth's critical skills that will build the foundation for a successful, happy, and productive life. This gap is happily filled by immersive and adaptive social media platforms where kids interact to get the additive dopamine hit and are covertly manipulated by artificial intelligence and machine learning videos and influencer news.
The latest technologies such as Web3.0, Metaverse, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality are a part of this development and can be combined with AI, Machine Learning, Big Data, and Blockchain to create even more seamless and immersive experiences, which could lead to even more possibilities to monetize our youth's future while increasing mental and physical health problems in the years to come.
The longer-term effects of these emerging technologies will be to slowly erode our society's ability to think critically and make connections to the real world outside of the digital realm. It is designed to slowly shift our view of reality and create an environment where we rely more and more on the internet for our information and knowledge, potentially leading to decisions based on false information or a manipulated version of reality. Ultimately, this system is designed to control us and keep us in a state of constant consumption and distraction, preventing us from being productive, engaging in meaningful communication, debate, or developing deeper analytical skills. In short, the emerging system will manipulate and control society, creating a world in which it is increasingly difficult to think independently and constructively.
Now let's ask, from the view of the system designers, who is the most profitable target market?
The cigarette and consumer goods industries know the answer well, the middle-class youth and the next generation of workers and consumers. They are the most profitable long-term markets, manipulated through social engineering tactics perfected through the ages and now delivered anytime, anywhere through innocent and fun games, videos and news.
I do believe that a combination of education, awareness, and government regulation is needed to ensure that technology is used responsibly and ethically, and that the benefits of technology are balanced with the risks.
We must enable and empower our youth to use technology in a productively, responsibly and ethically. We need to have better programs that fosters the youth inquisitive, social, entrepreneurial and free sprite of learning through purposeful projects. Humanity depends on it. We have problems in the world and who will be solving these problems if we don’t equip the youth with a sound mind, body and capabilities.
We must stop telling children what to do and treat our youths as the intelligent and capable humans they are, with capability to understand and absorb better then adults. All they need is a injection of fun, curiosity, interaction, competitions and purposeful mastery.
We must use the social engineering tactics used by big-tech to engage better in face-to-face interactions with the youth and develop the core foundational skills and competencies that will enable them to be productive, reliable, and healthy throughout their lives.
After long contemplation and extensive validation of the issue with countless educators, parents, academics, and other stakeholders across the globe, I'm now ready to take action!
I have founded a non-profit organization, "Fututum Academy" with the purpose of empowering youth and vulnerable communities to be aware of the tactics and technologies used behind the scenes to manipulate their digital interactions. We will encourage responsible use of technology and help people understand the risks and rewards associated with it. At the same time, we will be providing project-based emerging technology programs focused on building the core skills and competencies needed but lacking in our current and future society.
Emerging Technologies that can DISTROY the world
by Arjang Salamat
Emerging technologies have the power to revolutionize our world in countless ways, but they also pose significant risks to humanity if not properly understood and regulated. In this blog, we will explore some of the most concerning emerging technologies and their potential to cause harm.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - AI has the potential to surpass human intelligence in a wide range of tasks, but it also poses significant risks to humanity if not properly controlled. Autonomous weapons, for example, could be used to target and kill individuals without human intervention, potentially leading to mass casualties. Additionally, AI could be used to create highly convincing fake videos and images, which could be used to spread misinformation and propaganda.
Biotechnology - Biotechnology has the potential to cure diseases, extend lifespans, and improve the quality of life, but it also poses significant risks to humanity. Genetic engineering, for example, could be used to create new forms of life that are resistant to antibiotics or able to survive in extreme environments. Additionally, biotechnology could be used to create new forms of biological weapons, which could be used to target specific populations or cause mass casualties.
Nanotechnology - Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter on a molecular scale, and has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing, medicine, and energy production. However, it also poses significant risks to humanity if not properly regulated. For example, self-replicating nanobots could cause widespread damage to the environment, and nanotechnology could be used to create new forms of weapons that are extremely difficult to detect or defend against.
Quantum Computing - Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are currently intractable for classical computers, but it also poses significant risks to humanity. Quantum computing could be used to break encryption and gain access to sensitive data, and it could also be used to create new forms of malware that are extremely difficult to detect or remove.
Virtual Reality - Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize entertainment, education, and communication, but it also poses significant risks to humanity. VR could be used to create highly convincing simulations of real-world environments, which could be used to spread misinformation or propaganda. Additionally, VR could be used to create new forms of cyberbullying, or to manipulate individuals into committing harmful acts in the real world.
In conclusion, emerging technologies have the potential to bring about significant benefits to humanity, but they also pose significant risks if not properly understood and regulated. It is important that we take these risks seriously and take steps to mitigate them, in order to ensure that the benefits of emerging technologies are realized without causing harm to humanity