Beware of social media influencers & stay judicious: Principal JKPS Kunjwani

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: “Blindly following others is like walking in someone else’s shadow – you may move forward, but you will never find your own light”. Such a powerful statement from Kalyani from Grade XI (Medical) created the requisite momentum to generate heat among masses.
Catching the fancy of a curious audience during the morning assembly, Shivaansh stated, “It’s a paradox of modern units that the more we engage with social media in our virtual lives, the more anti-social we become in reality”.
“Meet Nilesh. He is just turned 13 and has an unhealthy relationship with his parents. His dad is a workaholic, while his mother, a typical homemaker, never leaves any stone unturned to fulfill her son’s needs. To compensate for not being there as Nilesh was growing up, his dad surprised him on his 12th birthday with a Brand new iPhone 15. Nilesh was on Cloud nine that day. However, the bond that seemed to revive itself wasn’t with his parents but with his new gadget”, he added.
“Besides sending all day of Battle Royale games, Nilesh developed a deep passion for social media. Since then, he has been operating a new Instagram profile, and his tiny hands never beg for mercy, even after scrolling through almost a thousand reels per hour”, he further added.
Enhancing the curiosity of students further, Kalyani pitched in by saying, ” Recently, Nilesh came across a social media page promoting a very vibrant-looking USB stick, which emitted smoke particles. The marketing team of this hazardous object had no idea that the item they were aggressively promoting was actually an electronic cigarette, popularly known as “vape”. It was not long before Nilesh discovered the very same item being promoted in a vlog by his favourite Youtuber as part of a sponsorship”.
“Unknowingly, the idea of vaping fascinated innocent Nilesh. The next day, he stole his dad’s credit card and ordered a vape for himself. Over time, this fascination transformed into an addition, which absolutely shattered Nilesh’s self-image and terribly deteriorated his mental state. Moreover, at the tender age of 15, when teenagers are supposed to be entering high school, Nilesh’s condition has unfortunately landed him in a Rehab centre”, she added.
“This is not just about Nilesh, it is about every other teen who still binges on toxic influencers that advertise vapes, online gambling and cyber-bullying, which all lead to absolutely nothing except cheap dopamine”, she added further.
Summing up the reflections, Harshdeep stated, “In a world where influencers have become powerful voices, shaping opinions, lifestyles, and even culture, we must ask ourselves; what do they truly influence? While influencers promote ideals of authenticity, their lives are often curated for perfection, creating unrealistic standards for millions. They connect us through screens, yet they may disconnect us from our true selves. They encourage individuality, but by following them, we risk losing our unique voices”.
Principal, JKPS Kunjwani Rajesh Rathore lauded the need-of-the-hour theme of the morning Assembly and enriched the audience with his pearls of wisdom. He stated, “The paradox lies in how these social media influencers empower and diminish us simultaneously. As we navigate this digital age, it is crucial to reflect on: who influences us and why”?
“Let’s strike to be more conscious consumers of content, valuing genuine connections over superficial trends. Beware of these social media influencers and stay judicious. Use your own discretion & speak to your parents/teachers if you’re unable to take a call yourself. Always remember a famous quote from Thomas Gray in such situations: Ignorance is bliss”, he summed up.