The Need to Checkmate the growing culture of indecency and vulgar social media content among Nigerian youth
By Tersoo Shaminja, PhD
Criminologist, BSU, Makurdi
The rise of social media has brought about a plethora of benefits, including increased connectivity, access to information, and a platform for self-expression.
The benefits of social media to Nigerian youth and students include serving as viable platforms for connectivity and networking, access to information and education, self-expression and creative skills, and social mobilization and activism. Indeed youth can utilize these benefits for their personal and career lives in order to contribute positively to the development of the society.
The coming on board of social media birthed the era of content creation which refers to the process of providing and sharing valuable, relevant, and consistent information to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. The goal of content creation is ultimately to drive profitable customer action, build brand awareness, and establish purposeful leadership.
It is instructive to notes that, positive content creation on social media include inspirational stories, quotes and images, heartwarming videos, motivational posts, educational content, personal development and self care tips as well as community development initiatives and events.
The negative content creation on the other side has to do with the production, dissemination of uncultural, harmful, offensive, or disturbing content which include hate speech and cyber bullying, vulgar, obscene and explicit content, fake news and misinformation, online harassment and stalking among others.
Social media and the birth of positive content creation is indeed a magic wand to harness the abundant talents among Nigerian youth and students however, on the flip side of the coin, the growing culture of negative, indecency and vulgar content creation that has become rampant on social media platforms; widely in vogue among Nigerian youth and students is worrisome.
Sadly, in recent times, Nigerian social media spaces have been inundated with explicit and vulgar content, ranging from nude photos and videos to lewd and obscene language as well as cyber harassment, stalking and bullying.
Several examples abound where youth including minors in the name of content creation to get more followers on their social media handles perpetually showcased nude photos and vulgar language.
Some youth without moral rectitude shamelessly discussed their sexual relationship and escapes and in some instances, the abominable acts such as homosexuality and lesbianism are openly discussed and promoted with reckless abandon.
This growing culture violates the basic customary principles and values of morality, decorum, decency, respect, self worth and human dignity that characterizes all ethnic groups in Nigeria society.
Indeed, this ugly trend if not checked poses a significant threat to our moral fabric and societal values.
To this development, indecent behaviors, vulgar talk, online harassment, stalking and bullying and even disrespectful for elders and constituted authorities are being normalized in the name of content creation and many youth and students have joined the band wagon.
The impact of this culture on our youth cannot be overstated as we now see increase in emulation to such content leading to the normalization of deviant behavior, desensitization to moral values, and a distorted view of relationships and intimacy.
Furthermore, this trend also reflects the decay of our customary and moral values as well as the breakdown of traditional institutions that once held our society together.
The fact that many Nigerians seem to be celebrating and glorifying this culture is a clear indication that we need to take a step back and re-evaluate our priorities in a bid to checkmate this ugly culture growing day-by-day.
To checkmate indecency and vulgar social media content creation, there is the compelling need for parents and guardians to take responsibility for monitoring their children’s online activities and educating them on the dangers of explicit content.
Additionally, social media platforms need to take more stringent measures to regulate and remove explicit content from their sites, this can also be achieved through training specialists in indigenous languages to help monitor people who disguise in native languages to promote indecent content on social media.
Furthermore, the government needs to take a more proactive approach to regulating social media content and enforcing existing laws and regulations especially on issues of indecent behaviors and vulgarity.
The National Assembly and various State Houses of Assembly can take a critical look at cyber space law in a bid to promote online safety and decency.
The Nigerian youth and students are enjoined to take advantage of the numerous opportunities created by social media for personal development and career pursuit rather indulge in negative content creation.
The growing culture of negative, indecent behaviors and vulgar social media content creation in Nigeria is a ticking time bomb that needs to be addressed urgently.
Therefore, all critical stakeholders in the development Nigerian project need to take collective responsibility for promoting online decency and safety, and work towards creating a society where our moral values and traditions are respected and upheld.
